James McDonald claims 100th Group 1 success in epic Cox Plate triumph
The Cox Plate is where legends are made and James McDonald joined a legendary group with his 100th Group 1 success as Via Sistina smashed Winx’s track record.
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Legendary.
The Cox Plate slogan encapsulated the occasion.
Legendary jockey James McDonald.
Legendary trainer Chris Waller.
Legendary racehorse Via Sistina.
How do you not run in the Melbourne Cup now after the Cox Plate demolition?
That is the question for Waller and Yuesheng Zhang, owner of breeding giant Yulong and Via Sistina.
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Eight lengths was the margin – equal to Winx in 2017 – and in track and class record time (2min 1.07sec) about two seconds faster than Waller’s legendary mare (2min 2.94sec).
Australia’s best race anointed Australia’s best racehorse at The Valley, Via Sistina the $5 favourite with Ladbrokes for the Melbourne Cup.
She gave Japanese star Prognosis windburn.
He defeated all but Via Sistina comfortably.
VIA SISTINA IS THE 2024 COX PLATE CHAMPION! 💚
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 26, 2024
JAMES MCDONALD NOTCHES UP HIS 100TH GROUP 1! 💯@cwallerracing@mcacajamez@YulongInvest@TheValleypic.twitter.com/T0vZZwrfNQ
Godolphin colt Broadsiding nailed warhorse Mr Brightside for third.
Could he be the one next year?
Pride Of Jenni led early but could not maintain the rage.
The strain of a Group 1 King Charles III Stakes and Cox Plate – seven days apart – evident well before the home bend.
McDonald’s Cox Plate hat-trick coincided with his 100th Group 1 success.
“I think there was more pressure. Obviously, the other two (Anamoe and Romantic Warrior) were well-fancied, but they were very easy horses to ride,” McDonald said.
“This one, she’s not easy. Things needed to go our way and probably the momentum of this 100 has been quite heavy.
“Especially each week, everyone’s been gunning for me and I haven’t been able to get the job done.
“I’ve been made to do it in a Cox Plate.
“I couldn’t even, I couldn’t even imagine it, like it’s been surreal.”
Five-time Cox Plate winner Waller lauded Via Sistina.
“I’m blessed to be training horses like this,” Waller said.
McDonald settled third last and allowed the race to unfold as the speed horses jostled for positions.
As pressure mounted Via Sistina only got stronger, sidled up to Prognosis before the home turn and went bang.
McDonald was on the receiving end of such brilliance in 2017 as Hugh Bowman on Winx surged past Hartnell in a stride.
“I was pretty happy to see Prognosis up there, to be fair, and Broadsiding,” McDonald said.
“Two horses that I thought would maybe be back with me, jostling for the same positions, and the pace was nice.
“I had such a smooth run the first half and I thought, I just wheel out, keep it smooth, blend in and she loved it.
“She won like Winx, she blended and gee, it’s just a phenomenal performance.”
Jockey Damian Lane, the 2019 Cox Plate winner, was rendered helpless on Prognosis.
“He was very honest, you couldn’t have asked much more,” Lane said.
“I was confident coming down the side I was going to be a winning chance but Via Sistina was just in another class today.
“She was way too good today.”
Jockey Jamie Kah wrestled with Broadsiding in the run but the colt responded to a mighty challenge.
“He really surprised me at how much of a big baby he is still,” Kah said.
“He spat the bit out at the 800 and Docklands bumped him out the way and I thought we were done but he picked up and found the line.
“I’d say he’s an Anamoe - next year he’ll win the Cox Plate - he’s still a year away.”
Originally published as James McDonald claims 100th Group 1 success in epic Cox Plate triumph
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