Cox Plate winner Via Sistina withdrawn from Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup betting has been thrown into disarray after the top two favourites were both ruled out of the race.

Cox Plate winner Via Sistina has been withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup in a second major blow for the great race.

The seven-year-old mare had a wild week, throwing jockey James McDonald during trackwork before romping to a record win by eight lengths in the Cox Plate, beating Winx’s track record by nearly two seconds.

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The result saw her named the world’s No. 1 racehorse.

But while Via Sistina was a darling of the early Melbourne Cup betting, quickly becoming the favourite for the race on November 5, her owners Yulong Investments ruled her out of the race on social media on Wednesday morning.

“Via Sistina officially ranked the world’s number 1 racehorse!” the post began.

“The Cox Plate has always been her main target, to win it is nothing short of a dream.

“Following this peak performance and after much consideration, it has been decided she will not contest the 2024 Melbourne Cup.

“We look forward to taking aim at the G1 Champions Stakes a week on Saturday.”
The decision also leaves McDonald without a ride for the Melbourne Cup.

While it appeared the move was on the cards after betting market indicators reported saw Via Sistina drift in Melbourne Cup betting, but firm for the Champions Stakes, it is another blow for the great race.

James McDonald roars with delight. Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

It comes after Irish raider and the race’s second favourite Jan Brueghel was ruled out due to veterinary advice.

A compulsory CT scan of the Coolmore-owned Jan Brueghel, trained by Aidan O’Brien, indicated the horse was “currently at heightened risk of injury”.

Jan Brueghel presented at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre in Werribee last Saturday for the compulsory scan of its lower legs.

“Reports received from an expert panel of internationally renowned equine surgeons and diagnostic imaging specialists, who reviewed Jan Brueghel’s CT scan results, indicate that the horse is currently at heightened risk of injury,” Racing Victoria stewards announced on Tuesday.

“Following advice from RV Veterinary Services in relation to the specialist opinions from the independent imaging panel, RV Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Jan Brueghel from the Melbourne Cup on the basis that he was unsuitable to compete.”

The two withdrawals have seen the Chris Waller-trained gelding Buckaroo firm into Melbourne Cup favouritism at $5, with 7-year-old gelding Onesmoothoperator ($6) and French seven-year-old gelding Vauban ($7) also at the top of the betting market.

Vauban raced in the Melbourne Cup in 2023, finishing 14th.

Chris Waller still has the favourite at the moment. Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Via Sistina had a wild week in the lead up to her victory in the $5 million Cox Plate.

The trackwork mishap saw jockey James McDonald thrown from the saddle and throughout the week there were fears she wouldn’t race at all after she ran four laps without a rider.

On Friday, Via Sistina was a confirmed starter and dominated the race with McDonald standing in the stirrups in celebration as she crossed the line.

Veteran Channel 7 commentator Bruce McAvaney was blown away by the performance.
“Put it at the top of the list,” McAvaney said. “We have seen some extraordinary things here in Cox Plates.

“J-Mac’s 100th Group 1 win. He wins the Cox Plate for the third consecutive year. It is the stuff of legends.

“Chris Waller is a genius and this mare is a champion.

“We have seen some amazing performances in the Cox Plate. The stuff that we say we won’t see it again. You know what? We’ve seen one as good as we’ve ever seen before.”

Fellow commentator Jason Richardson said the performance was “Winx-like”, with Via Sistina smashing Winx’s 2017 track record by nearly two seconds.

“Chris Waller, can you imagine how he was feeling on Tuesday when Via Sistina dropped James McDonald then went out of control spinning around Moonee Valley?” Richardson said.

An emotional Waller couldn’t keep his emotions in check, unable to believe not only that Via Sistina won, but by how much.

“The truth is when she got up and James got up, it rest of it didn’t care,” Waller said.

“The horse and James equally are so important. The Cox Plate is on every year. If she didn’t make it, who cares, she’s alive and James is alive.”