Champion mare Via Sistina to kick off latest Cox Plate pursuit in Randwick trial

Trainer Chris Waller will unleash Via Sistina, Fangirl, Autumn Glow, Aeliana and Wodeton on a busy morning of Royal Randwick trials on Wednesday.

Via Sistina headlines Tuesday’s star-studded trial session in Sydney. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images.

Champion mare Via Sistina’s build-up to her latest Cox Plate tilt will gather momentum when she headlines a star-studded barrier trial session at Royal Randwick on Tuesday.

Trainer Chris Waller will get an early guide on how his spring carnival arsenal are going when Via Sistina steps up alongside star stablemates Fangirl, Aeliana, Autumn Glow and Wodeton.

Via Sistina is making her first public appearance since her dominant Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April as she prepares to chase consecutive Cox Plate wins this spring.

She lines up in a 850m heat alongside Fangirl while Canadian Group 1 winner Full Count Felicia also steps out.

Golden Slipper runner up Wodeton, brilliant Australian Derby winner Aeliana, unbeaten boom filly Autumn Glow and Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes victor Lazzura contest a second 850m heat.

“They will all have very quiet trials on Tuesday, they are a month away from racing,” Waller said.

“The 23rd of August they will be racing. If everything goes to plan (they will have two trials).

“We allow an extra week just in case for a temperature or sore foot and things like that.

“Nine times out of 10 you need it and sometimes you will see them have an exhibition gallop if they haven’t had a problem.

“It’s just about being careful. You are a month away so you can imagine how much fitness is going to be done in the next month.”

Fangirl will also have her first trial this spring on Tuesday. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images.

Sydney’s first Group 1 of the new season, the Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes, will be staged on August 23.

Waller is considering another heavy-handed assault of the race with past winners Via Sistina and Fangirl while Aeliana and Lady Shenandoah, which will trial on Friday at Warwick Farm, are also candidates.

“All four of them could clash in the Winx first-up – Lady Shenandoah, Aeliana, Via Sistina and Fangirl ,” Waller said.

“Autumn Glow will probably go down a handicap path towards an Epsom.”

Waller conceded the Winx Stakes may be Via Sistina’s only run in Sydney this spring as the stable gives serious consideration to the Group 1 $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 13 for her second-up assignment.

She followed the same path last year after winning the Winx Stakes.

“This is a demolition job!”

Pride Of Jenni runs her rivals ragged with a fantastic front-running ride by @decbates to win the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes! Via Sistina ran on into second and Mr Brightside finished third. @[e-mail]/tNf2yqaGjl

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) April 13, 2024

“I think the Makybe Diva will create a bit of interest to us with there being such a gap between the Winx and the King Charles,” Waller said.

“Then you have the Chelmsford but I think the Makybe Diva might suit her and then maybe the Turnbull.

“The Winx could be here only run in Sydney but I won’t rule out that she won’t stay here either.”

Waller will also get a glimpse of one of his soon to be new arrivals when Silver Slipper winner Beiwacht contests the same heat.

Beiwacht is among a string of Godolphin heavyweights that will step out on the morning as they prepare to move to new homes next season.

Tom Kitten, soon to join Anthony and Sam Freedman, is also in the opening heat alongside staying mare Zardozi, which heads to Ciaron Maher at the beginning of next season.

Originally published as Champion mare Via Sistina to kick off latest Cox Plate pursuit in Randwick trial