Via Sistina careers away with Champions Stakes triumph
Via Sistina ($1.60) has backed up from her incredible Cox Plate victory by claiming another dominant victory, this time in the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington.
Following their success in the same race last year with Atishu, Chris Waller and James McDonald took out their second straight Champions Stakes, with that same mare finishing in second place in the 2024 edition.
The expected speed influences, Deny Knowledge ($16), Duke De Sessa ($23) and Royal Champion ($26) pushed forward, while Atishu ($7.50), Via Sistina and Without A Fight ($12) settled at the rear and enjoyed a solid tempo.
With very little changing throughout the 2000m journey, the field began to pack up slightly before the 500m mark as Future History applied the acid on the leading division.
McDonald sat quielty on the eventual winner as she tracked into the race out wide before shaking her up with 300m to go to take over quickly.
Atishu and Without A Fight tried to go with Via Sistina, but she proved a class above in the concluding stages as she stormed away with a 2.75-length victory.
2024 Champions Stakes replay – Via Sistina
Chris Waller was on course to speak about the win.
“Very special to get the opportunity to train a horse with European form lines like she had was pretty special,” Waller said.
“She did it first-up in a Ranvet and announced herself, and she’s just done it consistently since, over 1400 (metres) and then coming out and winning a Turnbull and Cox Plates and then the McKinnon (Champions) Stakes.
“It’s a pretty special horse, so I’m appreciative for getting her to train. It’s great to see the international form lines coming together.
“I think just confidence was the key.
“We haven’t been able to over-train her. She trained herself one morning and then it’s just been looking after the horse and reading her body language and making sure she’s happy, and we’ve got a happy horse.
“I’ll talk to Mr. Zhang and his family and, wherever she goes, it’s a bonus really, with what she’s done this year.
“Give her a spell now and, I guess, look at a Queen Elizabeth.”
James McDonald brought up his 10th win of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and he was very happy post-race.
“It’s been an enjoyable ride. How you compare it, felt pretty good today,” McDonald said.
“She was never in doubt. The nice building pace suited her. She just keeps going to a new level.
“She enjoys her work and the work as she loves it and she puts that into her race as well.
“She’s very good and today was an absolute joy and pleasure and I had so much fun on her. Her performance speaks for itself.
“She just gives you so much confidence as a rider. She’s come a long way since she first came off the plane.
“She’s got a little bit more tactical speed, which is always good to have, it she just seems to be just thriving and she loves the fast ground.
“I know she was pegged as a wet track coming down here. Horses with a turn of foot like that, they love that surface.
“I’m glad he (Romantic Warrior) didn’t come down this year and I’m looking forward to jumping on his back in seven days’ time.
“He is my favourite racehorse and the association and the will to win he shows, she’s got it as well.
“I’d hate them for them to clash and I’m glad she’s staying here.”
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