Cox Plate winner Via Sistina headlines agalaxy of stars at the postponed trials at Warwick Farm on Monday

The wet weather this week forced Thursday’s Warwick Farm trials to be moved to next Monday where a host of Group 1 winners will make their first public appearance for 2025.

Via Sistina will barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

The highly-anticipated public return of the likes of Via Sistina, Fangirl, Switzerland and more has been postponed until next Monday.

The Chris Waller-trained stars were set to step out at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning before torrential rain hammered Sydney on Wednesday night.

Via Sistina was due to line up in a 900m heat with James McDonald aboard however she will now require a new jockey with the star hoop set to be overseas to pilot Romantic Warrior in Dubai.

With the change, brilliant King Charles III Stakes victor Ceolwulf has been added to the same 900m heat with Chad Schofield locked in to ride.

VIA SISTINA IS THE 2024 COX PLATE CHAMPION! 💚

JAMES MCDONALD NOTCHES UP HIS 100TH GROUP 1! 💯@cwallerracing@mcacajamez@[e-mail]/T0vZZwrfNQ

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 26, 2024

Caulfield Guineas winner Private Life and Coolmore Stud Stakes hero Switzerland feature in the same 900m trial while Fangirl lines up in a later heat over the same trip.

Meanwhile, Kembla Grange lost its second meeting in the past five days after Thursday’s provincial card had to be postponed due to storms across the East Coast.

■■■

The new Tabcorp leadership structure continues to take shape with the appointment of Hong Kong Racing Club executive Michael Fitzsimons as the new Chief Wagering Officer.

TAB made the announcement on Thursday less than a fortnight after former Paramount executive Jarrod Villani as the Chief Commercial and Media Officer.

New chief executive and managing director Gillon McLachlan has wasted little time ushering in a new era for the bookmaker.

Fitzimons has spent over two decades in the industry across Europe, Asia and the US.

He has spent time working abroad as the Director of International Trading and Operations with The Stars Group and most recently as been the Executive Director Wagering at Hong Kong Jockey Club.

“Michael Fitzsimons is one of the world’s most sought after wagering executives and brings extensive global sports betting experience to Tabcorp,” McLachlan said in a release.

“He has deep knowledge of international sports betting, trading and tote.

“Michael is a rare find – he knows digital and retail wagering and is one of the few people in the world who can connect both to grow a wagering product.”

Tabcorp are set to work under a simpler structure with all wagering functions to fall under the Fitzsimons.

■■■

Private Harry takes out the Inaugural running of the TAB Sunlight! 👏@mmsnippets@SCTurfClub@[e-mail]/WFjTCf1SI6

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 4, 2025

Unbeaten colt Private Harry is being aimed at a first-up crack at the Group 1 The Galaxy at Rosehill Gardens on March 22.

Managing owners Kurrinda Bloodstock announced the plan during the week as the Nathan Doyle-trained colt enjoys a well-earned freshen up.

Private Harry beat all before him in a stellar debut campaign that saw him put together three straight victories and confirm himself as one of the brightest young stars in NSW racing.

He put his name up in lights with a dominant victory in the inaugural $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight at the Sunshine Coast on January 4.

Three-year-olds have an strong record in The Galaxy with four winners in the past 20 years with Russian Revolution (2017) the last to do it.

■■■

Champion rider Zac Purton is on the cusp of Hong Kong history and could break the Asian racing jurisdiction’s all time wins record at Sunday’s Group 1 meeting at Sha Tin.

Purton piloted a double on Wednesday night that moved him within three wins of matching Douglas Whyte’s all-time record of 1813 victories.

He could have the chance to break the record when he rides current The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m).

Originally published as Cox Plate winner Via Sistina headlines agalaxy of stars at the postponed trials at Warwick Farm on Monday