Via Sistina tops world rankings with 2024 Cox Plate romp

Via Sistina has been afforded the third-highest rating ever for a mare after her unforgettable Cox Plate romp last Saturday.

Via Sistina has been afforded the third-highest rating ever for a mare after her unforgettable Cox Plate romp last Saturday.

Timeform’s ratings guru Gary Crispe said Via Sistina had earned a provisional 132 rating for her eight lengths win in race and course record time.

This ranked Via Sistina behind Hall of Fame champions Black Caviar and Winx as the highest-rated mares in Timeform’s all-time rankings which goes back to the legendary Phar Lap.

Black Caviar, unbeaten in 25 races, earned a Timeform rating of 136 to top the mares ratings from Winx, winner of her final 33 races in succession including a world record 25 at Group 1 level, with a peak 134 figure.

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Via Sistina’s lofty rating makes her the number one ranked horse in the world this year ahead of Ireland’s superstar three-year-old City Of Troy on 130.

Crispe said there were a combination of factors that resulted in Via Sistina improving her peak rating from 121 to 132, including the quality of the Cox Plate field, the race record time of 2m 01.07s, and the mare’s winning margin of eight lengths.

“Via Sistina’s rating puts her into elite company,’’ Crispe said.

“She is the third-highest rated mare since Timeform started compiling the ratings on Australian racing.

“To beat Prognosis by eight lengths and run such a fast time adds merit to the performance.

“Prognosis has pushed (Hong Kong champion) Romantic Warrior so Via Sistina’s Cox Plate win was world class.’’

  

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Via Sistina’s 132 rating has her ranked inside the Australian top 20 all-time Timeform rankings.

The legendary Phar Lap, winner of 37 of his 51 starts including the 1930 Melbourne Cup, remains the highest-rated Australian-trained racehorse with a lofty 141 rating.

To put Phar Lap’s figure into perspective, he would rate in the world’s top 10 behind unbeaten English superhorse Frankel on 147.

Crispe said Via Sistina was the horse to beat in next week’s Melbourne Cup if connections decide to tackle the Flemington two-miler.

“I believe Via Sistina can win the Melbourne Cup with 56kg,’’ Crispe said.

“The Cox Plate in recent years has been a really good guide to the Melbourne Cup.’’

• Via Sistina remains in Melbourne Cup mix after third acceptances

Crispe said an obvious comparison could be made between Via Sistina and another Chris Waller-trained mare, Verry Elleegant, who ran third in the 2021 Cox Plate then won the Melbourne Cup carrying 57kg.

The only other mare to carry more than 55.5kg and win the Melbourne Cup was the legendary Makybe Diva under 58kg in 2005.

Via Sistina has firmed into $4.50 favouritism for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) next Tuesday and is among 35 horses still entered after third acceptances were taken on Monday.

Originally published as Via Sistina tops world rankings with 2024 Cox Plate romp