After a turbulent week for the Chris Waller stable and Via Sistina ($5), the star mare has run away with a dominant victory in the 2024 Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday afternoon.
Although Via Sistina will go down as the winner of the race, her jockey James McDonald brought up his 100th Group 1 win of his riding career and his third straight success in the race, following Anamoe and Romantic Warrior in the previous two years.
As expected, Pride Of Jenni ($4.40) worked across from her barrier to take up the lead, and the worries about race favourite Prognosis ($3.50) not jumping were quickly put to bed as the Japanese raider settled behind her.
Declan Bates asked the Ciaron Maher-trained mare to quicken mid-race as she always does, but Damian Lane chose to stay with her on Prognosis, only allowing her to get a two-length lead on the rest of the field.
By the time they hit the 800m mark, it was clear that Pride Of Jenni was starting to tire, and the runs started to come from Prognosis, Via Sistina and Mr Brightside ($7).
However, as soon as Prognosis took over, McDonald and Via Sistina went straight past him on the home turn, and they took off with the prize, careering away with a breathtaking eight-length win in the Cox Plate.
2024 Cox Plate replay – Via Sistina
Chris Waller was understandably emotional in his post-race interview when talking about Via Sistina’s win.
“It was a big week but I’ ve just had full support from the owners, my staff, all the team, Moonee Valley. It’s just been overwhelming,” Waller said.
“There’s not been any negativity, only positive vibes. I’ m so proud of her, so proud of her.
“There’s probably 10 key factors, and it’s not anything else except common sense, simple as that.
“We never lost faith and just just followed our instincts.
“We’ve had to do these things before. You just had to forget what happened on Tuesday, she’s a good horse and it was my job to prove it.
“The truth is when she got up and when James got up, all James said to me, the Cox Plate is not on today.”
James McDonald was also emotional following his historical win.
“Just so lucky. What this mare’s been through, and she’s just an absolute star. I’m so lucky to be part of it,” McDonald said.
“To Chris Waller and all his team, I see Tommy Simpson working on her on Tuesday morning.
“Chris Harwood flew down on Thursday to work her. And all of them, all of them said, ‘ Excuse my French’, she’ll shit in.
“I honestly can’t believe it. I love this race.
“I love this place. And to win a Cox Plate with Chris Waller, who is my greatest supporter and so special.
“It’s so fitting he’s brought up my 100th and to do it in such a prestigious race like the Cox Plate. I’m blessed, so blessed.
“She’s got an unbelievable sustained speed. And I think it’s a huge asset to have in this high-pressure race.
“The pressure was on from the get-go, and (Pride Of) Jenni didn’t have her peace. This horse has really worked really well here, even though I fell off her on Tuesday.
“She felt like she was gliding around the course really well and I had a quiet first half, and I wheeled her out, kept her happy.
“She seems just to grow a bit of confidence, and it was a Winx like performance. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it.
“I had such a smooth run the first half and I thought, I just wheel out, keep it smooth, blend in and she loved it.
“She won like Winx, she blended and gee, it’s just a phenomenal performance.”
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