Ladbrokes Cox Plate (Group 1)

VIA Sistina rocketed into Melbourne Cup favouritism following her Cox Plate demolition in the track record time of 2m01.07sec.

Having dropped James McDonald at Moonee Valley trackwork five days earlier, the Irish-bred Fastnet Rock mare drew comparisons to Sunline and Winx in the wake of her eight-length procession in the 2,040m Group 1 dubbed the ‘weight-for-age championship of Australia’.

“She’s got an unbelievable sustained speed. And I think it’s a huge asset to have in this high-pressure race,” said an elated James McDonald, who’d just chalked up his 100th Group 1 win at just 32 years of age.

“The pressure was on from the get-go and (Pride Of) Jenni didn’t have her peace. This horse has worked really well here, even though I fell off her on Tuesday.

“She felt like she was gliding around the course really well, I had a quiet first half, and I wheeled her out, keeping 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.”

He was later fined A$2,000 by Racing Victoria Stewards for a “celebratory gesture prior to the winning post”, as he stood in his stirrrups for the last half furlong.

Caught four-wide

The Chris Waller-trained six-year-old mare was out of the early hustle as Pride Of Jenni got caught four-wide going out of the straight the first time.

Pushing on to lead, it was clear she was not going to open a gap on them in front, as the Japanese-trained Prognosis looked as though he was relishing the solid tempo.

McDonald got Via Sistina moving forward with a half-mile to go. Powering into the final bend, Pride Of Jenni was folding with the other seven coming off-the-bit under Via Sistina’s crushing tempo.

Two lengths lead at the top of the straight became eight on the line, as the Deep Impact horse Prognosis took second with two lengths to the Too Darn Hot colt Broadsiding.

“It was a big week, but I’ve just had full support from the owners, my staff, all the team and Moonee Valley,” said Chris Waller after being forced to recalibrate the Yulong-owned mare’s preparation, following Tuesday’s near calamity.

Positive vibes

“It’s just been overwhelming. There’s not been any negativity, only positive vibes. I’m so proud of her, so proud of her.”

Asked if there was any one signal that suggested the mare would be ready, Waller replied: “There were probably 10 key factors, and it’s not anything else except common sense, simple as that. We never lost faith and just followed our instincts. I’ve grown up thinking the best horse wins the Cox Plate and my opinion hasn’t changed today.”

Whether the Melbourne Cup beckons for Via Sistina, Yulong’s chief operating officer Sam Fairgray was circumspect: “That’s to be decided. In the next couple of days, we’ll talk with Chris and his team and see what we think is best for her. There’s great racing here and some options internationally, but we’ll just weigh everything up. We’ve definitely got to look at the international options.”

An invitation for the Japan Cup has been extended and surely Royal Ascot scouts must be keeping a close eye on proceedings. On Thursday Vin Cox, racing manager to owners Yu Long Investments, ruled her out of the Cup and the Hong Kong Cup saying she hadn’t completely acclimated to southern hemisphere seasons.

Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (Group 1)

THE Anthony Cummings-trained El Castello, a maiden in September, completed his fourth straight win to take the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes over Randwick’s 2,000m.

Raced just off the pace throughout by Josh Parr, El Castello cruised to the lead on rounding the final bend and was never headed, justifying his $3 favouritism. Pushing El Castello all the way was the Dundeel colt Henlein, with the Yes Yes Yes gelding Firm Agreement in third.

“Wow. That was thrilling, I tell you,” said Parr. “Henlein obviously came to him and he knuckled down and his last furlong was so strong. Incredible training performance and I’m so proud to be a part of it. I’ll be at Flemington on Derby Day. So if he’s there, I’ll be on him, that’s for sure. This is fantastic.”

Quizzed on whether El Castello would move up to the 2,500m of the Victoria Derby, Cummings was in a positive frame of mind.

“Standing here today, the decision is yes. But we’ve got to get him home and make sure that he’s okay and tick a fair few boxes before we do that. But that was the plan. The preparation was set up so that today’s race would give him the step to go to the Derby. Looks like that will happen.”

First for sire

Out of the Fastnet Rock mare Word Games, the Castelvecchio colt becomes the first Group 1 winner for his Arrowfield-based sire, having been purchased for A$220,000 from Cambridge Stud’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The win also completed a Group double, following the victory of the Castelvecchio filly Double Market in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic over 1,600m.

“She won well and was strong through the line, so if she pulls up well, we will definitely look at a race like the 1000 Guineas. It was only her second start and there is good improvement to come,” said co-trainer Ben Hayes.

THE stable of the Warwick Farm-based Bjorn Baker will be a crew to keep an eye on through the spring, with the stable landing a rich double at Randwick on Saturday. With nine runners across six races, they struck with the Per Incanto mare Belclare in A$2 million The Invitation over 1,400 metres and then 45 minutes later with Iknowastar, a Star Witness gelding, who won the A$1 million Five Diamonds Prelude over 1,500 metres, the pair rewarding stable supporters at prices of $26 and $8.50. Baker indicated that Iknowastar will now tackle the A$5 million Five Diamonds on November 9th.

“We have to give him his chance in the Five Diamonds,” said Baker. “My wife, Andrea, actually lost her wedding ring and I might have to get her another with a few diamonds.”

AFTER a short illness, Colin McKenna has passed away at 74 years of age.

Born in Warrnambool and building an empire off the back of his meat processing business, McKenna was instrumental in the rise of Ciaron Maher. He first met Maher ‘when he was about six or seven’ and when Maher shifted from jumps jockey to training, McKenna and his wife Janice were among his first backers and key to the stable’s progression to the largest in Australia.

“He knows how to get inside a horse’s head,” McKenna once said.

Ciaron Maher’s social media posted on Monday: “Heaven gained a true gentleman this morning. Our hearts go out to Janice and the entire McKenna family. Fly high Col, we love you and you will be so very deeply missed.”

THERE was more drama off the track on Tuesday morning, when Aidan O’Brien’s leading contender Jan Brueghel was ruled out of this year’s Melbourne Cup after failing a vet check.

The unbeaten St Leger hero had been the ante-post favourite for next Tuesday’s Flemington showpiece with many bookmakers, but he has been ordered to be withdrawn by Racing Victoria’s stewards.

A statement released on their behalf said CT scan results had revealed he is “at heightened risk of injury”. Jan Brueghel had been working at Werribee, where the international runners are based.

The Racing Victoria stewards statement read: “Reports received from an expert panel of internationally renowned equine surgeons and diagnostic imaging specialists, who reviewed Jan Brueghel’s CT scan results, indicate that the horse is currently at heightened risk of injury.

Withdrawal

“Following advice from RV Veterinary Services in relation to the specialist opinions from the independent imaging panel, Racing Victoria stewards ordered the withdrawal of Jan Brueghel from the Melbourne Cup.”

Coolmore Australia’s boss Tom Magnier told Australian racing radio show SEN Track: “We’ve learned that Jan Brueghel won’t be taking his place in the Melbourne Cup this year.

“He went through all of the protocols in Ireland before departing. The lads were very happy with the horse and he was bouncing in quarantine, but the vets have come up with the decision that he doesn’t pass the inspection to run. I’m extremely disappointed for all of the team, who have put so much effort in getting him here.”

O’Brien had not been represented in the Cup since 2020, when Tiger Moth finished second to Twilight Payment, trained by his son Joseph, while 2019 Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck suffered a fatal injury in that race and Cliffs Of Moher was fatally injured the previous year.

With Jan Brueghel out, Buckaroo is now 7/2 favourite. The Brian Ellison-trained Onesmoothoperator is next at 5/1, with Vauban for Willie Mullins and brilliant Cox Plate winner Via Sistina, while Mullins’ other runner Absurde is 9/1. On Tuesday, the Harry Eustace-trained Sea King gained a spot in the big race, when he won the Bendigo Cup in impressive style under Declan Bates. Holly Doyle will take the mount next week with the gelding at 14s in the betting.