by Champion trainer Chris Waller has declared Via Sistina is ready for a crack at the Cox Plate and is eager to convert a dramatic improvement into more success in the Australian weight class championship.
Via Sistina caused a major scare in the Waller camp four days before the start of Saturday’s 2040m Group 1 race at Moonee Valley, knocking jockey James McDonald to the ground during track work.
The preliminary race then galloped along two laps of the track without a driver, resulting in an incident that initially caused Yulong race director Troy Stephens to say that it was “very unlikely” that Via Sistina would start.
But Waller, who famously guided supermare Winx to four consecutive Cox Plate victories (2015-2018), changed Via Sistina’s preparation and was thrilled with the response.
“She’s bouncing, she really is,” Waller said Friday morning.
“She had very thorough trot tests yesterday with Racing Victoria and she passed them with flying colors.”
“She looks great, she’s ready to go.”
James McDonald is thrown from the saddle on the Via Sistina during a track work session in Moonee Valley. (Getty Images: Vince Cali)
Waller sent Via Sistina for a quiet stay on the beach on Wednesday before returning to the valley on Thursday.
“[That was] just to give her a good experience,” he said.
“I didn’t want her to be traumatized by it or have any negative effects so that on Saturday when she goes there she finds out that she’s sweating or nervous in some way.”
“That was fantastic. She just had a very smooth canter, one lap, and she was great. The recovery was good.”
Via Sistina will jump from hurdle four and Waller will also saddle up Kovalica (hurdle nine), with the latter just an outside chance.
“The draw makes it a little difficult and it’s hard to say he can beat these horses,” Waller said, adding that he has his eye on sending Kovalica to the Melbourne Cup.
“That’s why we want to make the race positive and give him every possible chance to run as well as possible.”
“We are aiming for a top five placement, but above all a strong result.”
“From barrier nine he will probably go back and just need a bit of luck, but if he has that luck he is certainly a talented horse.”
Waller’s pair will compete in a small but fiercely competitive nine-horse Cox Plate field.
Japanese favorite Prognosis brings impressive form to Melbourne, while Ciaron Maher-trained Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside will have plenty of support from the Hayes brothers.
Three-year-old star stallion Broadsiding has won five of his last six starts, including three in Group 1, and is looking for redemption after coming up short in the Caulfield Guineas.
Champion jockey McDonald will be aiming for his third consecutive Cox Plate victory aboard Via Sistina, having piloted Romantic Warrior and Anamoe in the last two editions.
AAP
