Superstar mare Via Sistina to headline Chris Waller’s Royal Randwick assault next Saturday

Trainer Chris Waller is set to welcome back several of his biggest Autumn Carnival contenders next Saturday.

Via Sistina was taken for a spin around Royal Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Champion trainer Chris Waller is confident glamour mare Via Sistina is in tip top condition as she prepares to return alongside a galaxy of stars this Saturday at Royal Randwick.

Waller took Via Sistina, Fangirl, Atishu, Lady Shenandoah and Declichy Boulevard to Randwick on Saturday for exhibition gallop with all five horses set to return this week.

There’s is no doubt a bulk of the attention will be on Via Sistina when she makes her highly-anticipated return in the Group 2 $300,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m).

The superstar mare stamped herself as Australia’s best horse during the spring with four Group 1 victories including the Cox Plate.

“She has come back really well Via Sistina,” Waller said.

“It’s a short break from the spring now to Apollo Stakes day so I guess they don’t get too far away from you in terms of fitness.

“At the same time she has had two trials and an exhibition gallop so she is well prepared and is the right weight where she needs to be starting her prep.”

EXHIBITION GALLOPS: Several big names stretch their legs at Randwick ahead of their autumn campaigns - @cwallerracing stars Via Sistina, Fangirl, Atishu, Declichy Boulevard, Lady Shenandoah plus @godolphin's Broadsiding and Golden Mile. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/JE56wLbbX8

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 8, 2025

Kerrin McEvoy will pilot Via Sistina in her return with James McDonald set to ride for Waller in Melbourne where Switzerland hunts another Group 1 in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington.

She will be joined by Fangirl in the Apollo Stakes with Jason Collett ready to partner the multiple Group 1 winner.

“Fangirl is very effective over 1400m to a mile,” Waller said.

“If there is a chink in Via Sistina’s armour it is probably first-up (over 1400m).”

Waller also plans to run Empire Rose Stakes winner Atishu as well as Lindermann in the weight-for-age start to Sydney’s autumn racing carnival.

Fangirl resumes in the Apollo Stakes. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

He confirmed the stable will likely have two runners in the Group 2 $300,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m) with talented mares Olentia and Joliestar both set to compete at set weights and penalties.

Joliestar, a runner in last year’s The Everest, will be aimed toward the Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) on March 8 which will determine whether she heads towards a T J Smith Stakes or stretches out over more ground.

Flight Stakes winner Lady Shenandoah will headline a three-pronged attack in the Group 2 $300,000 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) however punters will have to wait until another day to see boom filly Autumn Glow.

“Autumn Glow is having her first trial Tuesday so she is not there,” Waller said.

“Lazzura will be nominated but might be held back for the Millie Fox.

“Lady Shenandoah and Declichy Boulevard will run.”