Waller hoping for fitting farewell as his No.1 eyes one that got away

Champion trainer Chris Waller is hoping one of his many star mares “can go out with a bang” on Saturday at Randwick, but he’s not looking any further ahead with his No.1 Via Sistina.

Waller, heading for his 15th consecutive Sydney premiership, is set for another memorable day at The Championships when Via Sistina, a $1.85 Sportsbet favourite in the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Fangirl ($1.95, Queen Of The Turf) and filly Autumn Glow ($1.45, Arrowfield 3YO Sprint) spearhead his stable’s strong hopes.

And while Fangirl is expected to give him the $1 million mares race over the mile – one of four group 1 races on day two of The Championships – Waller will be thrilled if $7 chance Atishu causes an upset.

The seven-year-old, a three-time group 1 winner, will have her final start before heading to next month’s Magic Millions national broodmare sale at the Gold Coast.

“Atishu loves to race and she’s got a great affiliation with races, whether it be a Mackinnon Stakes, the Empire Rose, and this race,” Waller said.

“She won it two years ago and she got beaten a lip last year when second. So we’ve followed a similar path to last year and it’s her last career start, so hopefully she can go out with a bang.”

Waller also has Lazzura ($9.50), a luckless second in the Emancipation Stakes last start, in the Queen Of The Turf.

The spotlight, though, will be on the queen of Australian racing, Via Sistina, as she tries to equal the Waller-trained great Winx’s feat of seven group 1 wins in a single season.

A draw in gate one and a seemingly faultless preparation, including group 1 victories in the Verry Elleegant (1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (2000m), have the seven-year-old primed to atone for last year’s defeat in the headline race. An odds-on favourite then, Via Sistina finished six and a half lengths second to Pride Of Jenni’s amazing front-running performance.

Waller joked earlier in the campaign that it took him until Via Sistina’s record-breaking, eight-length win in the Cox Plate six months later to get over the loss.

This week, Waller said he was not looking at the race, this time missing Pride Of Jenni, as a chance at redemption.

James McDonald and Via Sistina cruise to victory in the group 1 Ranvet Stakes on March 22 at Rosehill.Credit: Getty Images

“They are all nice to win, there’s no difference,” he said.

“We’re not going into the race thinking it’s the one we haven’t got. It’s just another race, but obviously an important race.”

Waller also has on-pace runners Lindermann and Full Count Felicia, as well as Buckaroo, in the race, and he expected Via Sistina and jockey James McDonald to benefit from the inside gate.

“She drew one last start in the Ranvet and quite often in a strong-run race, it’s not a bad barrier to have because you get to stay in your comfort zone,” he said.

“It’s good to have James aboard because he knows her well. I don’t think barrier nine would have bothered us either.

“James knows her and knows where he needs to be at the right time, and I’m looking forward to hopefully there being a bit more pressure in the race than her last two.

“Dubai Honour brings international form to the race and a few others there are probably mixing their form a bit, but all we want to see this is a probably similar race to the Cox Plate, and that’s when she seems to excel; when there’s plenty of pressure on, she lifts. So we’re looking forward to it.”

Her only defeat this preparation was over 1400m first-up in the Apollo Stakes, when she got back and stormed home for third. However, the focus was always the Queen Elizabeth.

“It’s a grand final for this preparation, and it’s only a short turnaround from the spring, so it’s sort of a juggling act to have them ready in time, but at the same time not overdo it,” Waller said.

“But you set these programs in place and it’s rare that it works out, but good horses seem to be able to stick to the plan and she’s done that.”

Owners Yulong Investments, who paid $5.4 million for the Irish-bred daughter of Fastnet Rock in late 2023, have indicated a Cox Plate defence, as an eight-year-old, in October was a goal. Winx retired at seven to head to the broodmare barn.

Asked if the Queen Elizabeth could be Via Sistina’s last race in Sydney, Waller said: “We’re not looking too far ahead, just one race at a time.”

Another Waller star on show will be unbeaten Arrowfield filly Autumn Glow. She dominated her rivals first-up in the 1200m Darby Munro Stakes three weeks ago after a delayed return from injury and will be expected to repeat the dose on Saturday.

“We’re still learning about her and James rode her Tuesday morning and thought she was just as sharp, if not going better, than when she was going into her first-up run,” Waller said.

“So from a distance perspective, I don’t think we’ve got anything to worry about. It’s a good field, but she’s ready to run well.”

Autumn Glow is set for a short autumn campaign before spelling for spring features. She was an $11 chance for October’s $20 million The Everest (1200m). As for Autumn Glow targeting the showpiece, Waller, who owns a slot in the race, said: “I haven’t given it much thought”.

Waller also has seven runners in the Sydney Cup, but Valiant King (foot) and Zarir (lame) failed a vet check on Friday afternoon and face another examination on Saturday morning.

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.