Via Sistina and James McDonald reunite in Verry Elleegant Stakes

February 26, 2025 12:17 pm.

Via Sistina and James McDonald returns to scale after winning the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Jay Town/Racing Photos)

The $1 million Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) headlines a bumper 10-race program at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with a quality field of nine set to line-up in the weight-for-age classic.

Despite being rolled as a short-priced favourite first-up in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), horse racing bookmakers haven’t hesitated to install Via Sistina as $2.00 favourite once again.

James McDonald reunites with the daughter of Fastnet Rock and is set to be tested after drawing barrier eight of nine.

Stable companion and Apollo Stakes winner Fangirl is on the second line of betting at $3 with Neds after proving too sharp for her rivals over the 1400m first-up.

Jason Collett sticks aboard the three-time Group 1 winning mare and appears to get every chance to claim back-to-back wins from stall five.

The Joseph Pride-trained Ceolwulf ($4.60) got a pass mark returning in the Apollo and will be looking to turn the tables on the Waller pair second-up.

Chad Schofield continues his association with the progressive four-year-old, but will need to navigate barrier nine on Saturday.

You can get double-figures odds with BlondeBet about every other runner, with the likes of Lindermann ($11.00) and European import Zarakem ($26.00) representing good each-way value.

The 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes is the second leg of the Randwick quaddie and is scheduled to get underway at 4:35pm local time.