Via Sistina, Fangirl and more headline star-studded Randwick trials

There was a touch of spring in the air at Randwick on Tuesday morning with a few stars of the turf stepping out at the trials.

Trainer Chris Waller gave a handful of his spring brigade their first public hit out. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

The build up to Via Sistina’s spring campaign is well and truly underway, with the nine-time Group 1 winner blowing out some cobwebs in a star-studded Randwick trial on Tuesday.

It was Via Sistina’s first public appearance since claiming the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on Day 2 of The Championships and she wasn’t out there to break any records.

Star stablemate Fangirl was also present in the 850m hit out and both were given quiet trials as Chris Waller aims them towards the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick next month.

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“The 23rd of August they will be racing … if everything goes to plan,” Waller said.

“We allow an extra week just in case for a temperature or sore foot and things like that.

“Nine times out of 10 you need it and sometimes you will see them have an exhibition gallop if they haven’t had a problem.

“It’s just about being careful. You are a month away so you can imagine how much fitness is going to be done in the next month.”

1⃣ The Novelist
2⃣ More Territories
3⃣ Full Count Felicia

The @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott gelding too speedy in an 850m Kensington trial on Tuesday - behind them were Extractor, Zardozi, Tom Kitten, Fangirl and Via Sistina. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/9xzNV0QUuK

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 21, 2025

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The Novelist won the 850m hit out in a time of 51.48 seconds, covering the final 600m in 33.67s.

Godolphin’s Tom Kitten and Zardozi also featured in the trial – their final time heading to the races under the James Cummings banner.

The second heat of the morning also featured a handful of Waller’s spring brigade with Autumn Glow, Wodeton, Aeliana and Lazzura returning.

The unbeaten Autumn Glow settled up on the pace and finished third in the 850m hit out, won by Palmetto in 51.20s. The last 600m was covered in 33.69s.

1⃣ Palmetto
2⃣ Beiwacht
3⃣ Autumn Glow

Basically all the way for @jsargentracing's Canberra Cup winner in the second 850m Kensington trial on Tuesday - also in this heat Manaal, Pericles, Wodeton, Lazzura and Aeliana. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/Lx2xllu1nO

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 21, 2025

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Autumn Glow is headed towards the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, for which she’s rated the $3.50 favourite in futures betting.

“She would resume in one of the sprint handicaps or set weight fillies and mares races to get to the Epsom third-up,” Waller said.

Meanwhile, Waller has the Group 1 Golden Rose circled on the calendar for Wodeton, with that run to decide the rest of his spring campaign.

“He (Wodeton) looks like he has come back really well and we will go to the Golden Rose.

“Then it will be Coolmore or (Caulfield) Guineas but I think 1400m will suit him better.

“He will be ready to go before the Run To The Rose.

“We could run two or three weeks before, being up this early

“But because he went out after the Golden Slipper, they actually had a long break so he is up ready to go.”

Early markets for the Golden Rose have Wodeton as the $6 second favourite behind Nepotism at $4.