Via Sistina is set to head to Melbourne in preparation for the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 14, as part of her journey towards the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) in October.
The European import made an impressive seasonal debut last month by winning the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, where she was sent off at +1000, despite expectations that she would need a longer distance to perform at her best.
However, the daughter of Fastnet Rock was expertly ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, who delivered her late to narrowly defeat Zougotcha by the barest of margins.
Owned by Yulong, the six-year-old mare is expected to bypass the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in October, remaining in Melbourne for her entire spring campaign.
This could include potential starts in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 VRC Champions Stakes (2000m).
“The King Charles is a big-money race, so we haven’t ruled that out, but normally once I send them to Melbourne, they stay there,” trainer Chris Waller told Racing.com.
“I don’t like going backwards and forwards too much. We are still learning about her – she’s obviously got a good international rating and has plenty of class.”
Currently, Via Sistina is the +180 favourite for the Makybe Diva Stakes and the +300 market leader for the Cox Plate with horse racing bookmakers.
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