‘Not a revenge race’: Chris Waller keeping his focus on Via Sistina and Atishu instead of rivals in Group 1 Makybe Diva blockbuster

Revenge isn’t the motivation for champion trainer Chris Waller and Via Sistina in a blockbuster Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes contest at Flemington on Saturday.

Champion trainer Chris Waller has brushed off any rivalries in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, focused only on “my girls” Via Sistina and Atishu.

Waller, in Melbourne on Thursday to watch the classy Group 1 mares stretch their legs on the course proper, is unfazed about the star-studded Makybe Diva opposition.

Via Sistina is a $2.30 favourite with TAB from Mr Brightside ($3.20), Pride Of Jenni ($6.50), Pinstriped ($8), Antino ($13) and Atishu ($15).

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“I’m only worrying about my horses,” Waller said.

“She’s (Pride Of Jenni) obviously going to be better for her first-up run and a tough horse to beat, (but) both of my girls are good and ready to go.

“We’ll see where the horses measure up, Sydney horses versus Victorian horses and other horses as well, and you’ve got the splash of international flavour with Via Sistina.”

Pride Of Jenni got the better of Via Sistina and Mr Brightside last campaign in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) with a breathtaking frontrunning display.

The 6½-length Randwick rout prompted calls for jockeys, including James McDonald (Via Sistina) and Craig Williams (Mr Brightside), to have kept closer tabs on the leader.

Waller, who welcomed the blockbuster clash on Saturday, has eyes only on the future for dual hemisphere Group 1-winner Via Sistina.

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“It’s not a match race, it’s not a revenge race, it’s a worry about Via Sistina race,” Waller said.

“It’s shaping for a good spring … it’s good to see some of these better horses meeting early, we saw some good racing last week and the next few weeks ahead.

“That’s what people want to see.”

Cox Plate contender Via Sistina staked her spring claims with first-up victory in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

The $3.3m earner had not won below 1800m before and it was only the second time in her 16-start career she raced at 1400m after a debut third at Thirsk, UK, in 2021.

“We didn’t know how good she was over 1400m,” Waller said.

“We know she’s pretty good over a mile and 2000m in particular.”

Via Sistina had a look around Flemington on Thursday morning ahead of the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes. Picture: VRC/Molly Park

Waller conceded a slight reservation on Via Sistina racing anticlockwise.

Via Sistina has finished third, 13th (end of a preparation) and fourth in her three left-handed starts in the UK.

Waller has worked the mare the Melbourne way multiple times in Sydney before the Flemington canter on Thursday.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure of her racing left handed but what we normally find with these European horses they’re pretty well skilled with their left and right,” Waller said.

“I’d expect her to be pretty good.”

Atishu placed ninth in the Winx, beaten 3½ lengths.

Atishu (Damian Lane) followed by stablemate Via Sistina (Steven Arnold) having a look around Flemington this morning ahead of the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes.

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“She needs to improve on her first-up run and she took a while to find form in the autumn but she looks like she’s come back well,” Waller said.

“It’s more of a watch and learn with Atishu, top five finish would say she’s on track for a peak performance third-up.”

Atishu has won three of six starts at Flemington, including the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) last year, and placed twice.

“Each time Atishu comes down here she runs well,” Waller said.

“She’s effective from a mile to 2000m, I guess left-handed and big roomy track, her racing style is get back and finish off and that obviously suits the Flemington track.”

Waller won the Makybe Diva in 2013 with Foreteller.

Originally published as ‘Not a revenge race’: Chris Waller keeping his focus on Via Sistina and Atishu instead of rivals in Group 1 Makybe Diva blockbuster