Damian Lane confident Via Sistina can bounce back from flat run in Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington

Damian Lane says trainer Chris Waller has Via Sistina in “good shape” to bounce back in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

Group 1 jockey Damian Lane is happy to rely on the class of Via Sistina to bounce back in the Turnbull Stakes on Saturday at Flemington than lose any sleep about one plain performance.

After winning the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) in Sydney, the Chris Waller-trained mare disappointed second-up in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on a Heavy 9 at Flemington – fifth beaten 6½ lengths.

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Lane, who secured the ride on Via Sistina with James McDonald in Sydney on Saturday, has sights only on the Turnbull.

“She’s a very classy horse,” Lane said of the dual-hemisphere Group 1 winner.

“Disappointing last time but she came off a big performance first-up and sometimes that can happen, she’ll be there to bounce back.

“They were happy with how she got through the run and they expect her to be in good shape come the weekend.”

Damian Lane expects Via Sistina to bounce back in the Turnbull Stakes on Saturday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Via Sistina has eased, $4.20 to $5 with Ladbrokes, since the market opened on Wednesday.

Buckaroo, the Group 1 Underwood Stakes winner and one of five Waller runners in the Turnbull, was a $4.40 favourite until a Friday rally for Eliyass ($4.20), trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Lane would prefer Flemington dodge the bulk of any rain, up to 10mm, forecast for Melbourne on Saturday.

Waller also expected Via Sistina to rebound.

“She was just a touch flat second-up, I think that’s all it was, plus she got a wet track,” Waller said.

“It hailed thirty minutes before the race, the track was very wet, slushy and almost slippery and she never got a chance to sprint.

“She didn’t give away ground, but she just didn’t accelerate like we know she can.”

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Waller has strong claims on a sixth Turnbull in 10 years after past successes with Preferment (2015), Winx (2017-18), Kings Will Dream (2019) and the late Verry Elleegant (2020).

Verry Elleegant went into her Turnbull a beaten favourite the start before, fourth in a 1600m Group 1 in Sydney.

The champion mare bounced back in the Turnbull and trained on to win the Caulfield Cup.

Originally published as Damian Lane confident Via Sistina can bounce back from flat run in Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington