Champion mare Via Sistina to kick off latest Cox Plate pursuit in Randwick trial
Trainer Chris Waller will get an early guide on how his spring carnival arsenal are going when Via Sistina steps up alongside star stablemates Fangirl, Aeliana, Autumn Glow and Wodeton.
Via Sistina is making her first public appearance since her dominant Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April as she prepares to chase consecutive Cox Plate wins this spring.
She lines up in a 850m heat alongside Fangirl while Canadian Group 1 winner Full Count Felicia also steps out.
Golden Slipper runner up Wodeton, brilliant Australian Derby winner Aeliana, unbeaten boom filly Autumn Glow and Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes victor Lazzura contest a second 850m heat.
'They will all have very quiet trials on Tuesday, they are a month away from racing,' Waller said.
'The 23rd of August they will be racing. If everything goes to plan (they will have two trials).
'We allow an extra week just in case for a temperature or sore foot and things like that.
'Nine times out of 10 you need it and sometimes you will see them have an exhibition gallop if they haven't had a problem.
'It's just about being careful. You are a month away so you can imagine how much fitness is going to be done in the next month.'
Sydney's first Group 1 of the new season, the Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes, will be staged on August 23.
Waller is considering another heavy-handed assault of the race with past winners Via Sistina and Fangirl while Aeliana and Lady Shenandoah, which will trial on Friday at Warwick Farm, are also candidates.
'All four of them could clash in the Winx first-up – Lady Shenandoah, Aeliana, Via Sistina and Fangirl ,' Waller said.
'Autumn Glow will probably go down a handicap path towards an Epsom.'
Waller conceded the Winx Stakes may be Via Sistina's only run in Sydney this spring as the stable gives serious consideration to the Group 1 $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 13 for her second-up assignment.
She followed the same path last year after winning the Winx Stakes.
“This is a demolition job!�
Pride Of Jenni runs her rivals ragged with a fantastic front-running ride by @decbates to win the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes! Via Sistina ran on into second and Mr Brightside finished third. @cmaherracing @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/tNf2yqaGjl
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) April 13, 2024
'I think the Makybe Diva will create a bit of interest to us with there being such a gap between the Winx and the King Charles,' Waller said.
'Then you have the Chelmsford but I think the Makybe Diva might suit her and then maybe the Turnbull.
'The Winx could be here only run in Sydney but I won't rule out that she won't stay here either.'
Waller will also get a glimpse of one of his soon to be new arrivals when Silver Slipper winner Beiwacht contests the same heat.
Beiwacht is among a string of Godolphin heavyweights that will step out on the morning as they prepare to move to new homes next season.
Tom Kitten Zardozi, which heads to Ciaron Maher at the beginning of next season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
3 minutes ago
- ABC News
Greg Swann rules out shortening AFL quarter lengths, will resist making 'radical' changes
AFL football performance boss Greg Swann has hinted play could be sped up before the end of the season as he prioritises reducing the length of matches in his new role. Insisting he won't be making "radical" changes to the game, Swann is also eager to see the umpires throw the ball up rather than bouncing it in the centre of the ground. The veteran administrator has ruled out reducing the 20-minute playing time for each quarter, but believes the league can tighten up in situations where umpires are waiting for players to get to ruck contests and boundary throw-ins. "There's a chance to actually speed that up a bit," Swann told reporters on Monday. "There's good vision and video of ruckmen taking 20 seconds to come from one end of the ground to the other. "Everyone stands around and waits, so to me that's something that hopefully we can have a look at and maybe address even before the season finishes." Swann said it was too early to tell whether the ball would be bounced to open the 2026 season, but has received strong support from "a majority" of clubs for his plan to scrap the bounce. He is also keen to introduce more transparency around key AFL decisions, including those under the match review system. "We're not going to explain everything away because otherwise you'd be here all day," Swann said. "But there's some things that are a bit contentious that I think people deserve to understand why we've gone a certain way." Swann gave his tick of approval to the controversial 50-metre penalty paid against Fremantle's Karl Worner for dissent on Sunday, and declared umpires have been doing a "fantastic job" this season. "One of the things that's difficult for the umpires is the rules; we just need to try and make them a bit simpler," Swann said. "Whether it's the stand (rule), whether it's holding the ball … that's something that I'm really keen to talk to clubs and coaches and footy managers about. "Is there an easier way for these guys to have to adjudicate it?" While AFL traditionalists often call on the league to "leave the game alone", Swann flagged innovation as being crucial to the competition's ongoing success. "It's the best game there is but the reason for that is we keep trying to make it better, and I think that's what we should do," he said. AAP
ABC News
3 minutes ago
- ABC News
InZane RL - Can PVL top the AFL's broadcast deal?
On Inzane Rugby League this week, Zane Bojack and Sam Williams are joined by AAP reporter Joel Gould to talk about the NRL's discussions in the US with Disney, DAZN and Netflix ahead of the next broadcast deal. The trio also talked about the skill of keeping your Captain's Challenge to the dying minutes with NZ, Canterbury and Manly coming up trumps at the weekend. The panel applauded the appointment of Kevin Walters as Kangaroos coach and also played the Quiz and "Yay or Neigh" game with Zane, Joel and Sam questioning how the NRL's salary cap will cope with Cameron Munster looking likely to earn $2 million per season at the Perth Bears.
News.com.au
33 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Rob Valetini set to return from calf injury to play for Wallabies in do-or-die battle with British and Irish Lions
Wallabies star Rob Valetini has declared himself 'good to go' for Australia's do-or-die clash with the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night at the MCG and has backed the decision not to play him in his team's first Test loss in Brisbane. The presence of the intimidating flanker was sorely missed by the Wallabies in the Lions' 27-19 weekend win at Suncorp Stadium. Missing the game hurt, Valetini thought he was a 'shoo-in' to overcome a calf injury and be fit for the match. 'But it was a smart idea just to have a week off and get through some more training and a bit of more loading through the calf,' Valetini said in Melbourne. 'I did a session Saturday morning. I did a pretty tough session there, so (the calf) feels good to go. 'I had to put all my focus through my recovery and getting through all my exercise and trying to get the body right for the next two Tests.' However the third Test on Saturday week in Sydney will mean nothing if the Lions clinch the three-game series with a win at the MCG. 'I was eager to get on the field (in Brisbane) but couldn't, and that's the challenge for us this week, knowing what's coming and trying to prepare for that,' said Melbourne-born Valetini, who hopes to deliver a strong performance in front of family and friends. Not that he's feeling any extra pressure to do so despite the series being on the line for the Wallabies. 'I feel like it's just another game of rugby and something I've been playing ever since I was young,' Valetini said. 'I just try to go out there and just do my job, whether that's carrying (the ball) or doing the tackling. I'm just trying to do my bit for the team, and hopefully I can help the other boys as well.' Veteran Wallabies prop James Slipper welcomed the likely return of Valetini, a two-time John Eales Medal winner. 'His size definitely helps – he's a really good player,' Slipper said of the 26-year-old ACT Brumbies back-rower. 'He gives a lot of boys around him a lot of confidence just the way he goes about his business.' Slipper suggested the Wallabies pack would also be boosted by the expected return of towering lock Will Skelton, who also missed the first Test with a calf problem. 'He (Valetini) won't be the only one that we'll be looking forward to seeing back out there this week. We've got a pretty full fit squad to pick from this weekend,' Slipper said. Slipper has now played in two series against the Lions after also being part of the Wallabies squad that lost 2-1 in 2013 when Australia won the second Test of the series – also in Melbourne – to ensure a decider a week later. 'The belief is there in the group. It's about diving into that and making sure we prepare really well,' he said.
