2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes: James McDonald returns to ride Via Sistina in Fangirl rematch

Champion jockey James McDonald returns from another successful international foray to ride Via Sistina in a stellar showdown with stablemate Fangirl for the Group 1 $1 million Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Fangirl (Jason Collett, cerise silks) wins the Apollo Stakes at Randwick on February with Via Sistina (Kerrin McEvoy, white cap) running home behind. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Champion jockey James McDonald returns from another successful international foray to ride Via Sistina in a stellar showdown with stablemate Fangirl for the Group 1 $1 million Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

McDonald is the regular rider of both outstanding Chris Waller-trained mares but his booking for Via Sistina is a significant pointer for punters.

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TAB Fixed Odds price assessors have rated Via Sistina early favourite at $2.50 to exact immediate revenge over her Apollo Stakes conqueror Fangirl at $3.50 alongside Joe Pride’s Randwick mile specialist Ceolwulf.

Jason Collett retains the ride on Fangirl after his tactically-brilliant effort on the mare to win the Apollo first-up over 1400m earlier this month.

Via Sistina and Fangirl have met twice previously for one-win apiece in 1400m races but both mares are also very effective at 1600m.

We are fans!!!

Fangirl makes it back-to-back Apollo Stakes 🙌@cwallerracing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/a0XgcxkMs0

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 15, 2025

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“Fangirl is a sprinter-miler, Via Sistina is a miler-2000m horse,’’ Waller said.

“The faster they go the better Via Sistina will go, simple as that. She will be close to her peak but obviously 2000m would be slightly preferred for her.

“Fangirl pulled up well after her win last start and she is going to be very hard to beat. She is close to her peak second-up.’’

Waller shares the training record of 10 wins in the Verry Elleegant (formerly Chipping Norton) Stakes with the legendary Tommy Smith and he can set a new standard on Saturday.

Via Sistina and Fangirl will lead Waller’s big-race assault along with the likes of Lindermann, Land Legend and possibly Atishu.

  

McDonald, who is chasing a fifth win in the Verry Elleegant Stakes, rode the 108th Group 1 winner of his celebrated career when he partnered Voyage Bubble to an easy win in the Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday night.

“It wasn’t smooth sailing but he’s a great racehorse,’’ said McDonald after Voyage Bubble burst through the pack and careered away for a spectacular win. “I’m lucky to have him as a partner because he got me out of a sticky situation.’’

CLASS PREVAILS! 🙌

Aiming to become the second horse to win Hong Kong's #TripleCrown after River Verdon in 1993/94, Voyage Bubble captures the second leg - @Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup - with @mcacajamez at Sha Tin... 🏆@WorldPool | #LoveRacing | #HKracingpic.twitter.com/ZauVUYRIWc

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 23, 2025

• Voyage Bubble gets out of trouble to win Group 1 under J-Mac

Sydney’s superstar jockey also just missed in the Group 1 Saudi Cup when riding Romantic Warrior to a close second behind Japan’s Forever Young in an epic finish.

McDonald wasn’t the only Australian jockey to have success on racing’s world stage over the weekend.

Sydney-based Rachel King became the first female jockey to win a Group 1 in Japan when she rode Costa Nova to victory in the February Stakes in Tokyo.

【🇯🇵 February Stakes (G1), Tokyo, 1600m, 4yo&up, approx US$ 1.84m】

Winner: Costa Nova(JPN)
J: Rachel King
T: Tetsuya Kimura
Sire: Lord Kanaloa
Dam: Colorful Blossom#フェブラリーステークス は、#コスタノヴァ が優勝！！ pic.twitter.com/QpdfLQdiq8

— JRA World Racing (@JRA_WorldRacing) February 23, 2025

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“I’m very privileged to be here competing, and I’m very proud to get this moment today and to be the first female to ride a Grade (Group) 1 in Japan,’’ King told Japanese media.

“A big thank you to all of the JRA racing fans. They have been amazing in the support I have had last year and this year. I couldn’t be winning a Grade 1 without all of that support behind me.’’

Melbourne’s leading jockey Blake Shinn and former premier Sydney riders Hugh Bowman and Brenton Avdulla also rode winners at the feature Sha Tin meeting in Hong Kong on Sunday night.

Originally published as 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes: James McDonald returns to ride Via Sistina in Fangirl rematch