‘This will be tough’: Via Sistina’s jockey James McDonald wary of Fangirl, Ceolwulf challenge in 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes

Champion jockey James McDonald has faith in Cox Plate-winning mare Via Sistina but admits she’ll need to be at her best to repel the challenge of fellow stars Fangirl and Ceolwulf.

Champion jockey James McDonald has leapt to the defence of Kerrin McEvoy as he takes over the reins on super mare Via Sistina in the Group 1 $1m Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

McEvoy was criticised for his losing ride on Via Sistina last start when she ran third to Fangirl in the Apollo Stakes, with some stinging commentary of a very personal and unnecessary nature.

But McDonald, who copped his fair share of criticism after a narrow loss on Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior in the Saudi Cup last weekend, has ridden both Chris Waller-trained mares many times and was adamant McEvoy did nothing wrong on Via Sistina.

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“I thought the criticism of Kerrin’s ride on Via Sistina was very unfair,’’ McDonald said.

“I’ve always said if Fangirl was set for a six-furlong (1200m) Group 1 race she would win it with the right set-up. On her day, her sprint is dynamic.

“Via Sistina has gone as good as she possibly could have and she had a beautiful run but Fangirl was just too good on the day.’’

J-MAC FIRES BACK: 'Tell me where the winners were in the run'

Champion jockey @mcacajamez has brushed off criticism from trainer Wayne Hawkes after Romantic Warrior's narrow defeat in the $US20 million Group 1 Saudi Cup (1800m). Story: @James_M_Lamb 👇https://t.co/AkARhkjuo4

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) February 26, 2025

McDonald is back on Via Sistina who has been rated the $1.85 favourite on TAB fixed odds to win the Verry Elleegant Stakes ahead of Fangirl ($3.20) and Ceolwulf ($5.50).

The step up to 1600m certainly suits Via Sistina but McDonald conceded Fangirl and Ceolwulf would also appreciate racing over the famous Randwick mile course.

“This will be tough,’’ McDonald admitted.

“We need to have luck in running, the same as the other two, Fangirl and Ceolwulf.

“I’ve got a lot of faith in Via Sistina but I know how good Fangirl and Ceolwulf are on their day. This is going to be a great race.’’

Via Sistina is among 10 early favourites McDonald is riding across 17 races at the Canterbury Friday night and Royal Randwick Saturday meetings.

James McDonald's key rides on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, 2025.

McDonald is booked for six favourites on the 10-race Randwick program including Waller’s brilliant filly Lady Shenandoah ($1.60) in the Group 1 $750,000 Surround Stakes (1400m).

Lady Shenandoah goes to the fillies classic after a brilliant first-up win over Lady Of Camelot in the Light Fingers Stakes two weeks ago.

“I think Lady Shenandoah is a filly that has made significant improvement from spring to autumn,’’ McDonald said.

“She demonstrated that with her raceday appearance the other day and the seven furlongs (a1400m) is probably her sweet spot. It’s a tailor-made distance for her.’’

McDonald’s other big-race rides include Snitzel Miss ($4 favourite) for the Group 2 $300,000 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m).

“Snitzel Miss is a real quality filly,’’ McDonald enthused. “I was taken by her on debut (in the Widden behind The Playwright), I thought she ran exceptionally well.

“The Sweet Embrace has come up very strong with a lot of quality fillies but Snitzel Miss has taken good improvement from that run and will be hard to beat.’’

The Playwright controls the Widden Stakes and clings to victory! @[e-mail]/lqFrIyHz7u

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 1, 2025

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McDonald had a busy schedule last weekend, riding in Saudi Arabia then travelling to Hong Kong where he won the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup on Voyage Bubble, before returning to Sydney where won the opener on President at the Rosehill midweeks.

“I’m feeling really good and quite rested,’’ McDonald said.

“I actually had a quiet week in Saudi because I got very sick with a 24-hour bug when I first arrived.’’

McDonald shook off that ailment only to be left “flat” after Romantic Warrior was run down in the final few strides by Japan’s Forever Young in the Saudi Cup.

Although he has been criticised for “going too soon” on Romantic Warrior, McDonald said Forever Young was the better horse in an epic finish.

“I am just gutted for Romantic Warrior,’’ McDonald said.

“It would have just been amazing for the horse to have that race on his CV.

“But he went down fighting, he didn’t let us down at all and if anything he’s run the race of his life.

“He wasn’t stopping at the 100m, it was just the other horse was going faster so all credit to the winner.’’

FOREVER YOUNG #フォーエバーヤング!!!

He let Romantic Warrior go by and then ran him down late in the $20,000.000 @TheSaudiCup (G1)! The Real Steel colt takes the #WAYI@BreedersCup Classic race for trainer Yoshito Yahagi. Jockey Ryusei Sakai brings the big one home for Japan! pic.twitter.com/cEBhyw8g5Z

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 22, 2025

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Romantic Warrior has already returned to Dubai to prepare for the World Cup meeting on April 5.

But McDonald is unsure which race the Hong Kong superstar will contest in Dubai with the $20m Dubai World Cup (2000m) on dirt or the $5m Dubai Turf (1800m) the options.

Trainer Danny Shum indicated earlier this week that he favoured starting Romantic Warrior in the Dubai Turf.

“Dubai is the horse’s happy hunting ground,’’ McDonald said.

“He’s thriving in Dubai, he loves the environment there.’’