Chris Waller has confirmed that Group 1-winning mare Atishu will target next month’s $2.5 million Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington.
While Via Sistina and Fangirl will remain in Sydney this autumn, Waller highlighted Atishu’s impressive record at Flemington as the key factor behind her placement in the lucrative mile feature.
“Atishu is just so brilliant at Flemington,” Waller told Racing.com.
“She is a length behind Fangirl and Via Sistina, but at her last run there (Flemington) she ran a great second to Via Sistina and the All-Star Mile just looks a very good race for her before she goes onto the Australian Cup.”
The seven-year-old has already enjoyed success at the Melbourne track, having won the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m), Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m), and Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m).
Meanwhile, Waller confirmed that both Via Sistina and Fangirl will take their place in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
“The All-Star Mile is great prize-money, but the Chipping Norton (Verry Elleegant Stakes) is in our backyard, so both Via Sistina and Fangirl will run there Saturday,” Waller said.
“It’s been a good race for us, win or lose it, as a good stepping stone to a George Ryder for her (Fangirl) and Via Sistina will probably go to the Ranvet.
“They’ll have to race against each other on Saturday, but after that, they can run on the same day but in different races.”
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