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‘Look out, she is ready to go’: Punters plunge on Chris Waller mares Joliestar and Via Sistina at Royal Randwick on Saturday

Chris Waller’s outstanding mares Via Sistina and Joliestar have been sensationally backed to make winning comebacks at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Ray Thomas
6 min read
February 14, 2025 - 4:30PM
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Chris Waller’s outstanding mares Via Sistina and Joliestar have been sensationally backed to make winning comebacks at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Via Sistina, arguably the nation’s best racehorse, is a firm $2 favourite for the Group 2 $300,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m) after some monster bets with TAB this week including $10000 at $2, $4500 at $2 and $4000 at $2.10.

Joliestar is dynamic fresh and she is the $2.50 favourite for the Group 2 $300,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m) after bets of $5000 at $2.40, $4000 at $2.70, $4000 at $2.50 and $3000 at $2.40.

TAB spokesman Gerard Daffy said the early betting plunges on Via Sistina and Joliestar had been the biggest this summer.

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“There’s been some big bets this week and it is no coincidence it corresponds with the return of these two outstanding mares,’’ Daffy said.

“I would expect Via Sistina and Joliestar to stay at those odds, they could even start shorter, as it is extremely rare when the good horses return and there is early money for them that they drift out.

“Punters follow the money trail and they will look at these price fluctuations, particularly with the really good horses like Via Sistina and Joliestar.’’

Waller is aiming for a record-equalling seventh Apollo Stakes win and has four of the eight starters – Via Sistina, Fangirl, Atishu and Lindermann.

“Via Sistina announced herself as a superstar in the spring,’’ Waller said in reference to the mare’s eight-length Cox Plate romp in track record time.

“If she gets a soft to good track, look out – she is ready to go.’’

• SATURDAY MARKET MOVERS: In-form stable runner $2.80 to $2

Waller said Fangirl, the defending Apollo champ, would “keep Via Sistina honest”.

“Fangirl has put on a bit more weight and is a stronger horse,’’ he said.

Waller said Joliestar had no luck in The Everest and Golden Eagle last spring and was “ready to announce herself” this autumn.

• EXPERT TIPS: James Molony’s race-by-race tips and analysis for Royal Randwick on Saturday

“Joliestar has come back really well, I can’t wait to see her run,’’ he said. “She’s in for a good preparation.’’

At Flemington, Waller is chasing his 11th Group 1 win of the season with crack colt Switzerland in the $1m Black Caviar Lightning (1000m).

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Trainer Michael Freedman is following the successful Stay Inside blueprint with boom colt Pallaton going into the Pierro Plate (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Pallaton, a brilliant Randwick winner on debut, is the $2.40 favourite to maintain his unbeaten record and showcase his Golden Slipper credentials.

Freedman is setting Pallaton the same race program he used with Stay Inside who trained on to win the 2021 Golden Slipper.

“The plan we have for Pallaton is to run in the Pierro Plate then all going well it is three weeks to the Todman Stakes and hopefully the Golden Slipper,’’ Freedman said.

“It worked with Stay Inside and it would be nice to think we could do it again.’’

Pallaton, who is by Coolmore’s boom sire Wootton Bassett, had a barrier trial between runs, finishing strongly for third behind North England and Bel Merci.

“I thought it was good he went to Rosehill and had a look around there,’’ Freedman said. “I’ve been happy with how he has come on form there.’’

• Ray & Duff’s Randwick tips: Joliestar ‘ready to explode’

Freedman’s top three-year-old filly Manaal resumes in the Group 2 $300,000 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m).

“This is a good edition of the Light Fingers,’’ the trainer said.

“I’ve been happy with Manaal, she’s had a nice, steady build-up but the draw (barrier 12) is not much good so we will have to work out where we navigate from there.’’

Freedman’s Givemethebeatboys, the Irish sprinter who has four wins including two at Group 3 level overseas, makes his Australian debut in the Group 2 $300,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m).

“I’m still learning about the horse,’’ Freedman said.

“I realise all his form in the UK and Ireland is 1000m to 1200m but he shapes to me as more like a 1400m to a mile.

“He’s such a laid-back character that it’s hard to get a guide on him but I’m going into this race with a very open mind, see how he performs and potentially where he may measure up and what distance.’’

• ‘It’s going to be tactical’: Pride’s Apollo plan for ‘extremely exciting’ Ceolwulf

Bunker Hut and Pallaton’s half-brother Yiska, both last start winners, give Freedman a strong hand in the Macquarie St Social Handicap (1300m).

“The biggest improvement from Yiska has been his racing manners,’’ Freedman said.

“He was a fierce, hard-going sort of horse 12-18 months ago which was working against him in his races but now he is relaxing so much better it is giving him the chance to finish his races off strongly.

“Bunker Hut’s had a great campaign. He’s only won once race but he has been super consistent and he’s drawn to get a nice run again.’’

Freedman also has Panic lining up the closer, the Captivant At Kia Ora Handicap (1400m).

“He has drawn wide but is a horse that likes to roll forward in his races and 1400m is probably his best distance,’’ the trainer said.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Mailata, who lines up in the Midway Handicap (1000m), is the omen bet of the day at Royal Randwick.

The four-year-old gelding by champion sire Written Tycoon is named after Jordan Mailata, who became the first Australian to play in and win an NFL Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles beating Kansas City 40-22 last Monday.

“The owners of Mailata are Philadelphia Eagles fans,’’ trainer Bryce Heys said.

“Mailata is quite a big, hulking horse so the name worked out well. He has a level of ability and is a nice horse.

“He had to make a long, sustained run to win first-up on the Kensington track and he’s done well since. He’s in great order and can run a competitive race.’’

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Clear Thinking, the unbeaten mare and $3.80 favourite for the Group 3 $250,000 Triscay Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick, can emulate her dam, Sweet Idea, by winning a feature race at the Apollo Stakes meeting.

Sweet Idea won the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes on Apollo Day 11 years ago. When she retired from racing, she was sold to Queen Elizabeth II and exported to England where the mare was based at the Royal Stud at Sandringham.

After the Queen passed in 2022, some of her racing and breeding interests were put up for sale and Arrowfield Stud supremo John Messara seized the opportunity to buy Sweet Idea’s then-unraced daughter Clear Thinking.

• Price, Kent Jr to tread Group 1 path with Golden Apollo hope

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Blake Shinn became first jockey to pass the 100-win mark this season with his double at Pakenham on Thursday night.

The champion jockey, who produced the ride of the season so far with his brilliant last-to-first mid-race rush on Antino in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap last spring, leads the Australian Jockey Premiership and is also on top in the Melbourne premiership with 47 wins, six clear of nearest rival Craig Williams.

Shinn has six rides at Flemington on Saturday including the brilliant Sydney mare I Am Me in the Group 1 $1 million Lightning Stakes (1000m).

• Willie Pike to make his comeback … at Flemington

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5 YEARS AGO

Godolphin trainer James Cummings’ classy mare Alizee ran down Dreamforce and Happy Clapper to win the Group 2 Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick. Godolphin celebrated a quinella in the Light Fingers Stakes when the Cummings-trained Flit edged out Anthony Freedman’s Lyre. The Gordon Richards-trained Gytrash, the giant-killer from Adelaide, started at $21 and finished strongly to beat dual Everest champ Redzel in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington.

10 YEARS AGO

Contributer, trained by John O’Shea, resumed with a fast-finishing win in the Apollo Stakes, defeating Ninth Legion. Contributer then won successive Group 1 races, the Chipping Norton Stakes and Ranvet Stakes at his next two starts. Adrift, a $41 outsider, defeated First Seal in the Light Fingers Stakes. Golden Slipper winner Mossfun and emerging super mare Winx ran unplaced. Lankan Rupee, the reigning Horse of the Year, scored the 11th and final win of his career defeating Brazen Beau in the Lightning Stakes.

20 YEARS AGO

Grand Armee, winner of the George Main Stakes and Mackinnon Stakes at Group 1 level the previous spring, was impressive winning the Apollo Stakes from Court’s In Session and Desert War. Grand Armee went on to win three more Group 1 races that autumn in the Chipping Norton Stakes, Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Trezevant, trained by Gai Waterhouse, scored narrowly from One In A Million to win the Light Fingers Stakes. Paul Perry’s brilliant sprinter Fastnet Rock defeated Alinghi in a memorable Lightning Stakes.

Originally published as ‘Look out, she is ready to go’: Punters plunge on Chris Waller mares Joliestar and Via Sistina at Royal Randwick on Saturday

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/racing/look-out-she-is-ready-to-go-punters-plunge-on-chris-waller-mares-joliestar-and-via-sistina-at-royal-randwick-on-saturday/news-story/3ccd9988d9a83a2621fe9dc09aceb626