Waller to split paths of Via Sistina and Fangirl after group 1 double

Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller is set to split the paths of Via Sistina and Fangirl after they finished one-two in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) as part of a group 1 double with jockey James McDonald at Randwick on Saturday.

Via Sistina, a $1.55 Sportsbet favourite, turned the tables on Apollo Stakes winner Fangirl by a third of a length in the $1 million race, giving her a sixth group 1 in Australia and seventh overall.

James McDonald rides Via Sistina to victory in the Verry Elleegant Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images

McDonald was able to settle Via Sistina in front of Fangirl, and she made a surging run to catch stablemate Lindermann in the final 50m, with Fangirl hot on her heels.

The win gave Waller a record 11th victory in the race, formerly known as the Chipping Norton Stakes, one ahead of the great TJ Smith.

“It was a great thrill,” Waller said of the finish. “The last 200 metres ... it’s unfortunate there had to be a winner. It’s been a great story. Twelve months ago, [Via Sistina] wasn’t even in our lives. Just a horse in quarantine and we were just starting to get to know her. What’s happened in the last 12 months is quite remarkable.”

Waller said Via Sistina would probably race next in the Ranvet Stakes over 2000m, while was Fangirl was headed to the George Ryder Stakes at 1500m, both on March 22 at Rosehill.

Chris Waller celebrates with jockey James McDonald after Via Sistina’s win in the Verry Elleegant Stakes.Credit: Getty Images

Earlier, Waller all but ruled out a shot at the Doncaster Mile with Lady Shenandoah after she lifted to beat a brave Lady Of Camelot in a match-race finish to the group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) for three-year-old fillies.

A $1.28 favourite with Sportsbet, Lady Shenandoah was expected to easily win after cruising to victory in the Light Fingers Stakes first-up.

Under McDonald, the Snitzel filly looked set to again breeze past Lady Of Camelot to claim a second group 1 after an ideal run in the one-one. The Golden Slipper winner, though, lifted after being headed at the 150m mark to only go down by a long neck.

“It was just goes to show how hard it is to any race, let alone a group 1,” Waller said. “I’m not sure how the punters were feeling, but it was a fight, and it was great to see her lift because that’s probably the first time she’s been under real pressure to extend, and I think it will help her long term.”

He said the Coolmore Classic against her own sex and the Phar Lap Stakes against her own age were likely targets, rather than the $4 million Doncaster.

“Running against those older horses is just that next level,” he said. “She’s good enough for it, but does she need to be doing it when there’s other options?”

The double was part of four wins for McDonald on the program.

Collett earns Slipper options

Jockey Jason Collett said it was nice to have options in chasing his first Golden Slipper win after cementing the spots of Rivellino and Within The Law in the $5 million race with a sweep of the group 2, 1200m two-year-old features.

Collett took unbeaten Kris Lees-trained colt Rivellino with a well-timed run from back in the field to win the Skyline Stakes by a head, before pushing Bjorn Baker filly Within The Law to a thrilling nose-margin win over Bellazaine with a flashing finish in the Sweet Embrace Stakes.

Jason Collett boots home Rivellino to win the Skyline Stakes.Credit: Getty Images

It was Collett’s first time aboard Rivellino, now unbeaten in three runs and into $15 (Sportsbet) for the Slipper, but he has partnered Within The Law in all three of her Sydney runs.

He said both wins had merit but Within The Law, now $11 for the Slipper, had to overcome more adversity.

“We’ll just let the dust settle and I’ll have a chat with my manager and we’ll work it out,” Collett said of what he could ride in the Slipper on March 22.

“It’s nice [to have options], but they’ve got to come through these races. They are two nice types that know how to win, which is the main thing.

“Her win was probably bigger. She had no favours at all. She was squeezed from the gate, she was back and wide, no cover. Whereas he didn’t have as many obstacles, but it was a more slowly run race and he was back and wide.”

The win of Rivellino, which beat Within The Law in the Inglis Millennium, gave Lees his second Slipper runner. His other was $101 shot Elimbari which finished well back in 2010. Lees’ father, Max, famously trained Luskin Star to Slipper glory in 1977.

“It’s been a while, but he’s a proper horse, this bloke,” Lees said. “He’s pretty versatile. I think on a really hot speed you’ll see a better product again, but he was good today and it was a lovely ride from Jason to let him stride up in a three-deep line and that was the winning move.”

Favourite Shaggy, which was gaining cult status for Wyong trainer Allan Kehoe, settled behind Valedictorian then raced greenly in the straight. He finished fifth, his first loss in four starts, to dent his Slipper hopes.

Jewel shines on Randwick return

The group 1 Coolmore Classic on March 15 looms as the next target for Amelia’s Jewel after she dominated the group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) for mares at Randwick on Saturday.

The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained group 1-winner resumed as an odds-on favourite off two trials and led under James McDonald. She controlled the race before kicking clear for a one and a third-length win over Ausbred Flirt. It gave McDonald an early double after victory on Spring Lee in the third.

“It was a really impressive return to the races,” Archibald said.

“She sort of put the writing on the wall in her trials and her work, and she felt very forward. It was a great ride by James, he summed it up very quickly and gave her every opportunity and I thought she hit the line very well.

“There’s so many options for her at the moment .., but the Coolmore could be a logical option next step.”

Tight finish lands Baker treble

Iowna Merc got the nose down on the line to win the group 3 Liverpool City Cup and give Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker a treble at Randwick.

In a three-way finish to the 1300m event, Josh Parr-ridden Iowna Merc came down the inside to challenge With Your Blessing at the same time Gringotts raced down the outside.

John Thompson-trained With Your Blessing looked to have held on before the photo showed Iowna Merc had got the bob of the head in.

Baker, who has a 32 per cent winning strike rate over his past 50 runners, earlier had victories with Spring Lee then Within The Law in the group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes.