Via Sistina (IRE)
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Category: Horse Racing - Public Forums
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Forum Description: General discussion about thoroughbred horse racing
URL: https://forum.thoroughbredvillage.com.au/forum_posts.asp?TID=70093
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 3:46pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Via Sistina (IRE)
Posted By: Lord Hybrow
Subject: Via Sistina (IRE)
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2024 at 7:09pm
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How much is 2.7m guineas in AUD? Dont really follow Euro & UK form too closely but wonder if she’ll be a success here or be another of Yulong’s expensive flops? Yulong had no joy in Australia with their expensive acquisition Alcohol Free, but may have a better experience with Fastnet Rock’s Group I winning daughter Via Sistina (IRE), who they purchased for 2.7million guineas at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year. She is due to get out of her quarantine period at Canterbury this weekend and will join the team at Chris Waller Racing at Rosehill. A late bloomer, Via Sistina struck career best form last year as a five year-old when trained by George Boughey and won the Group I Curragh Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland before placing in three more consecutive Group I races with her last run in October a gallant second to gun three year old colt King of Steel in the Group I British Champions Stakes at 2000m. She is entered for the Group I ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) with the Group I ATC Ranvet Stakes (2000m) as her lead up, a path followed successfully by other high profile imports Adeybb (GB) and Dubai Honour (IRE). Via Sistina is a fascinating horse as she is the original ugly duckling that grew into a swan. Her original owners Stephen and Becky Hillen purchased her as a yearling for 5,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Sale and they were over the moon when she sold at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year fetching 2.7million guineas to be the second highest priced mare at the sale. |
Replies:
Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2024 at 7:54pm
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One Guinea is £ 1.05p
1 British Pound = 1.9361 Australian Dollars 1 GBP = 1.9361 AUD1 AUD = 0.5165 GBPI'll leave you/others with it from here, given my maths is on a par with furious' grammar - well we can't all be genius'  ------------- It takes a wise man a lifetime to grow a tree and a fool five minutes to kill one. |
Posted By: Grey Affair
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2024 at 8:00pm
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Isn't a guinea the equivalent of £1.05? I think at the moment 1 AUD = £0.5144 So, 2.7 guineas would be a bit over 5.5 million AUD |
Posted By: VOYAGER
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2024 at 1:55am
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Whoever is the bloodstock agent for Yulong is terrible at their job. I have no problem identifying overseas horses and paying a little overs for a horse which is being aimed at high grade races, however that investment has to have some chance of making a return. Even if you are so wealthy it does not matter if they make a huge financial return how about your reputation as a racehorse owner and a breeder. To get any semblance of respect back for their purchase of Alcohol free she will have to be a better breeder than Denise's Joy and this mare would have to win at least three group 1's and be a golden hen breeder for at least three generations. I can smell a Nathan Tinkler style investment strategy here and while Yulong have enough money to withstand the huge dent in their reputation, they will just be looked at as wasteful investors and a pale shadow of someone like Te Akau, who seem to not only be able to buy good horses, but also develop sires and good broodmares. ------------- Remember, it might take intelligence to be smart , but it takes experience to be wise |
Posted By: rusty nails
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2024 at 9:01am
+GST
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Grey Affair wrote:Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2024 at 9:32am
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I know Vin Cox ex Godolphin, took over a few months ago. ------------- It takes a wise man a lifetime to grow a tree and a fool five minutes to kill one. |
Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2024 at 12:30pm
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I wonder how much of it is legit money though. ------------- Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing |
Posted By: acacia alba
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2024 at 12:39pm
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I can smell a Nathan Tinkler style investment strategy here and while
Yulong have enough money to withstand the huge dent in their reputation,
they will just be looked at as wasteful investors and a pale shadow of
someone like Te Akau, who seem to not only be able to buy good horses,
but also develop sires and good broodmares. Find myself agreeing with you again .  ------------- animals before people. |
Posted By: rusty nails
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2024 at 6:23pm
Not disagreeing, except there was an under bidder for a touch less. So there are at least two people valuing her at around the same price
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Posted By: Lord Hybrow
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2024 at 8:56pm
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When I started this thread, I half expected her to be another one in the list of Yulongs expensive imported failures. Proved me massively wrong with a dynamic win in the Rawson Stks today. Now $2.30f for the QE Stks. Their runner up Place Du Carrousel was impressive too, assume she’s also headed to the QE Stks? Noticed they’ve also got another G1 winning mare called Poptronic who trialed for Gai at yesterdays Randwick trials. She’s more a 2400m specialist so hopefully she’s aimed at the Q22 over the winter.
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Posted By: VSP.
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2024 at 6:07pm
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That was a bit Wow. Going to be hard to beat in everything this Spring. ------------- https://skiboots.wixsite.com/cats |
Posted By: Tlazolteotl
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2024 at 7:13pm
It will be interesting to see what tactics they have worked out for next time they face POJ. Because the, give her 60 lengths start without her going all that hard out in front tactic definitely did not work. ------------- Manners are of more importance than laws Edmund Burke |
Posted By: kiwi88
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2024 at 9:50pm
| Maybe keep J-Mac off... he's been a bit too passive a couple of times against POJ and again today on Fangirl. He rode against instructions on Via Sistina in the QE when Waller said don't let POJ be more than a few lengths in front on the turn.... |
Posted By: stayer
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2024 at 10:13pm
Yeah a bit too Wow for me. Cost me some good multis. Wasn't expecting that.
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Posted By: rusty nails
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2024 at 11:34pm
KMac couldn’t have ridden her quiter today. 3rd last buried on the rail at 600. Never went outside a horse. |
Posted By: brave_ponies
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2024 at 10:16am
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I haven't watched the replay and I was too busy during the race cheering her on and counting my millions (see SP comp ) but ... Does she have an unusual head carriage and action? Which KMac didn't fight, allowing her to race in her own style? If so, perhaps he is a more suitable and sensitive rider for her? I guess we'll find out this spring!
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Posted By: VOYAGER
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2024 at 7:06pm
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Isn't she off to melbourne with Riff Rocket. I heard the Makybe Diva is next so not sure JMac will be following her. I am, assuming Mickey Dee gets the first refusal in Melbourne as since Durston won the Caulfield Cup he has become Wallers big race rider when JMac is not available. ------------- Remember, it might take intelligence to be smart , but it takes experience to be wise |
Posted By: Second Chance
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2024 at 7:15pm
| Imo Mickey Dee is the best staying pilot in Australia, and equally close over shorter distances. Particularly in the heat of at carnival time so they couldn't go wrong with him. |
Posted By: Lord Hybrow
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2024 at 8:44pm
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That was a really plain effort in the Craiglee Stks today. Didn’t seem to have any excuses really. 2nd up syndrome? Looking for 2000m already?
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Posted By: Tlazolteotl
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2024 at 8:51pm
Waller has a very high opinion of her, otherwise I'd write her off. ------------- Manners are of more importance than laws Edmund Burke |
Posted By: VOYAGER
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2024 at 7:06pm
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If he had his time again, maybe Waller comes here fresh. I just think she dropped her rating off a tough fresh win where she really put everything in in that last 150m to grab Zougotcha. Not giving up and out to 1800m on a drier track in the Underwood should see her do better, although with Pride of Jenni back to near her best that race is now tougher to win. Great spring coming up with great racing, just what the industry needed! ------------- Remember, it might take intelligence to be smart , but it takes experience to be wise |
Posted By: Afros
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2024 at 9:45pm
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Underwood Stakes is to be run this coming Saturday. ------------- The worlds oldest fossil was discovered in Australia, they named it Rupert Murdoch. |
Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2024 at 3:28pm
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Not in the nominations ------------- Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing |
Posted By: VOYAGER
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2024 at 9:10pm
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So into the Turnbull next I would assume. ------------- Remember, it might take intelligence to be smart , but it takes experience to be wise |
Posted By: Lord Hybrow
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2024 at 8:02am
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Apparently dumped J-Mac at Breakfast with the Stars at MV and has then run several laps of the track riderless! Doubtful to run in the Cox Plate after this hiccup?
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Posted By: Bonjour
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2024 at 8:23am
| Rubiton bolted with Harry White in his last gallop before the plate, Harry had no show, he couldn't pull him up, coming back though the gap horse and jock were blowing like gales.......the news leaked out, price got better, not sure about VS, no Rubiton, he was special. |
Posted By: Bonjour
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2024 at 8:29am
| when you look at Rubys Cox Plate field and this Sat it says a lot, well for old timers, we got to see such great horses back then, and jocks every bit as good as J Mac as good as he is. |
Posted By: furious
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2024 at 9:10am
| Rubiton was a fav and one of the reasons I followed Flying Artie from the yearling sales. |
Posted By: Tlazolteotl
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2024 at 10:16am
Got a good feel for the track now with those laps under her belt. Perfect preparation. ------------- Manners are of more importance than laws Edmund Burke |
Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2024 at 10:39am
The pic in the ABC article shows his & doubtless one staff member will be feeling very uncomfortable  ""James said on straightening she's just tripped in front of him, and she was lucky she didn't trip [over] … she had that bandage wrapped around that hind leg, which was probably spooking her a lot too." ------------- It takes a wise man a lifetime to grow a tree and a fool five minutes to kill one. |
Posted By: Afros
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2024 at 6:22pm
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That was incredibly dominant, especially considering Prognosis brings the Romantic Warrior form with him, giving this win a world class reference. As an aside 7 are saying the usual Melbourne Cup guff, but surely this mare is to brilliant to head that way? ------------- The worlds oldest fossil was discovered in Australia, they named it Rupert Murdoch. |
Posted By: Tlazolteotl
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2024 at 6:23pm
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Waller is not a moron, unlike some commentators. Melbourne Cup ------------- Manners are of more importance than laws Edmund Burke |
Posted By: Afros
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2024 at 6:27pm
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It wouldn't surprise if she heads to the Champions Stakes. ------------- The worlds oldest fossil was discovered in Australia, they named it Rupert Murdoch. |
Posted By: VOYAGER
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2024 at 7:10pm
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I know this will anger a few, but that is, according to my analysis, the best Cox Plate win since Sunline demolished Tie The Knot and others in her first Cox Plate. Fast time, dominant margin and had more up the sleeve. Knowing Waller, she is already on the way to a paddock for a spell, but I would love to see her in Hong Kong or Japan. Will not happen but it would be good to see how she stacks up to them overseas. ------------- Remember, it might take intelligence to be smart , but it takes experience to be wise |
Posted By: Tlazolteotl
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2024 at 7:22pm
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If you base it on today's run you would be confident against any horse anywhere anytime. But this is Via Sistina we are talking about. I'd like to see another performance anywhere near that. ------------- Manners are of more importance than laws Edmund Burke |
Posted By: Jamal
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2024 at 7:29pm
Waller can race her in Europe.
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Posted By: Red Rancher
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2024 at 8:38pm
| VS is nominated for HK. I would love to see that given she will get a fast tempo again. |
Posted By: Bonjour
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2024 at 8:31am
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That was as dominant a win as Dulcify, he was a champion, he beat a cracking field, VS is no Dulcify, so that beggars the question, was this one of the worst fields in history?.........if so, how the hell does she smash Winks time? After bolting 3 laps of M Valley a few days previous, this guy Waller is the greatest champion of all time, a living legend, let's hear it for Chris,....Hip Hip...????
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Posted By: Sister Dot
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2024 at 9:23am
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When I saw her on telly she wasn’t bolting flat out, and certainly wouldn’t have done 3 laps like a MLB Cup but rather at a comfortable lope with intermittent faster bursts. Then a few easy days with hard work omitted. Obviously no harm done whatsoever. In fact it might be added to a few Cox Plate hopefuls training regimes next year! ------------- “Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride, friendship without envy, or beauty without vanity? Here where grace is laced with muscle and strength by gentleness confined” |
Posted By: furious
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2024 at 9:57am
| Without the flapping bandage I hope Sister Dot. That was plain scary. |
Posted By: brave_ponies
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2024 at 1:58pm
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The loose bandage was the scariest part!!! It could easily have ended in tragedy for the horse. Wouldn’t have wanted to be the strapper responsible
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Posted By: marble
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2024 at 5:23pm
| now clear favourite for the cup and has 56kg . Lot of weight for a mare and untried at the trip but I still think she could win it |
Posted By: Tlazolteotl
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2024 at 5:29pm
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The Danehill's could never do it and nobody was ever stupid enough to even try with a Fastnet Rock, but maybe she's thrown entirely to the Galileo side. I would normally say absolutely no hope and you would be mad to even try but then I look at the stragglers and strugglers making up the rest of the field, so I will sit on the fence ... ouch, splinters. ------------- Manners are of more importance than laws Edmund Burke |
Posted By: Grey Affair
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2024 at 5:59pm
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She has only had one start at 12 furlongs & ran last, but that was very early in her career (3rd start). Nearly all her racing in Europe was over ten furlongs and I would wonder why they kept her at that trip. Millions of punters over the years have gone broke by taking notice of Moonee Valley form so I would also be wary of that. However, I also didn't back Gold Trip when he won the Melbourne Cup because I thought he was no chance of running two miles so you can probably disregard everything I just wrote. |
Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2024 at 6:22pm
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Furious will have the stats Tlaz but I know she's reported on several occasions that Fastnet has produced 2 mile & 1 1/2 mile winners in the UK & Ireland. Pretty sure she also mentioned over jumps too. ------------- It takes a wise man a lifetime to grow a tree and a fool five minutes to kill one. |
Posted By: Afros
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2024 at 8:41pm
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Her record since arriving in Australia is unblemished over 10 except for the Pride of Jenni QEII, why risk ruining her in the Melbourne Cup when logic suggests the Champions Stakes will be hers for the taking? ------------- The worlds oldest fossil was discovered in Australia, they named it Rupert Murdoch. |
Posted By: Rhino
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2024 at 8:32am
| Won't run in the Cup. Will go to Champions day. |
Posted By: ExceedAndExcel
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2024 at 9:31am
What price does she start after Saturdays demolition job? Nothing backable surely?
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Posted By: Afros
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2024 at 10:04am
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May get evens if Broadsiding heads there and with Without A Fight also heading there fresh, plus if say Fangirl wins the Empire Rose in dominant fashion and backs up in the Champions Stakes. ------------- The worlds oldest fossil was discovered in Australia, they named it Rupert Murdoch. |
Posted By: Tlazolteotl
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2024 at 10:21am
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I thought Broadsiding was unimpressive in the Cox. He had the race set up for him perfectly, as did Via Sistina, with the crazy pace up front, but he couldn't even catch Prognosis who was entitled to fall in a heap, and Via Sistina beat him by a mile. The Caulfield Guineas run was ordinary too. No way they run him again this spring. ------------- Manners are of more importance than laws Edmund Burke |
Posted By: Rhino
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2024 at 11:09am
| $2.00 in futures markets. |
Posted By: brave_ponies
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2024 at 7:52pm
Great news! Respect to the connections! The Cup would’ve cooked her.
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Posted By: Freefall
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2024 at 9:06pm
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I love this mare. Even if she won the MC (and I would hate to see her race in it), it wouldn’t change her value $1. On the other hand, if she ran a struggling 15L loss, she would be worth less. When Waller is actually hands on with a horse he trains - instead of it being “in the system” - I take a lot of confidence. It’s why I backed her on Saturday. |
Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2024 at 10:02am
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Yulong have confirmed No Melbourne Cup Champions Saturday week will be her next run ------------- Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing |
Posted By: furious
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2024 at 10:52am
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Well we have had a Exceed and Excel grandson win the Cup and he was always a speed horse here. Fastnet did get 2400m horses regularly and his jumpers have gone beyond but lets face it that is a different race to the flat. Danehill got winners over more that 3200m in England. The trainer doesn't usually push those he thinks are 2000m horses (ie Winx) over 2400m let alone 3200m.
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Posted By: monty1
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2024 at 11:16am
| Maybe Ottobre should listen to his trainer. |
Posted By: Second Chance
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2024 at 3:06pm
Sorry, but couldn't agree. And with a decent spell, and hopefully with just a little more maturity and tactical speed, and he could be anything in the Autumn.
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Posted By: Afros
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2024 at 10:37pm
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I think Tlaz's statement is whoely underselling the quality of Prognosis' effort, given that his company that sat in the first four with him to the 800 finished 7th, 8th and 9th. It's also worth noting that Broadsiding and Via Sistina sat 9th and 7th respectively at the 800, by the 400 that was 8th and 1st, suggesting that the difference between the two in the end was MacDonald taking off early on the mare to put her in the race while Kah held back on the colt, unleashing him too late, by this time the mare was off and gone and the Japanese horse was far to brave for the colt to overhaul him that late in the race. ------------- The worlds oldest fossil was discovered in Australia, they named it Rupert Murdoch. |
Posted By: brave_ponies
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2024 at 8:32pm
Looks like she was a good buy afterall 
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Posted By: VOYAGER
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2024 at 11:04pm
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They had to get lucky sometime, but they do have a superstar here! ------------- Remember, it might take intelligence to be smart , but it takes experience to be wise |
Posted By: Afros
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2024 at 10:19am
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That was easy, 2000 clearly her go, she could win the Australian Cup, Rawson Stakes and Queen Elizabeth on end if she were to run in them all in the autumn, could even add the Doomben Cup as a book end just for a bit of drinking silver should they wish to! ------------- The worlds oldest fossil was discovered in Australia, they named it Rupert Murdoch. |
Posted By: Lord Hybrow
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2025 at 9:50am
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Is she totally unbeatable in the QE Stakes? Did what she needed to do in winning the Rawson Stks yesterday but to my eye she took a little bit longer than I thought to reel in and move away from Lindermann. Or maybe it was just JMac not overtaxing her? Ceowulf, Dubai Honour & POJ are the next in the market, then there’s a few Japanese horses in Rousham Park & Geoglyph. Anyone have any intel on the Japanese pair?
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Posted By: scratchy09
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2025 at 10:12am
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Never heard of Rousham Park, from a quick look of her form, I wouldn't be thinking from his 2024 form, that he measures up and they don't handle the wet well the japanese which April in sydney historically is. Have only heard of Geoglyph because he raced against Romantic Warrior when he went to Japan but he was a fair way off him in the finish and I think Romantic Warrior and Via Sistina are a similar calibre of horse. As for Via Sistina, I do think it is her race to lose but I also think she isn't unbeatable. This horse while she was essentially Winx in the Cox Plate last year, I think it is clear to see she isn't that. Still probably wins the QE though but lets also see how Dubai Honour goes next week first. ------------- SR |
Posted By: VOYAGER
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2025 at 2:20pm
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I called the race live yesterday as I do if I am home, and I did my best Greg Miles by saying as she crossed the line "and applaud the best horse in the nation, the best horse in the southern hemisphere and the best horse in the world." Now that last one maybe hyperbole, but I would love to see her return to Europe and take on the Arc. On ability, she is as good as Winx. Obviously she will not be racing for four seasons here but her ratings from 1400m to 2000m are in line with the Queen's. She is a far superior mare to Verry Eleegeant and VE was about two lengths off Dubai Honour at his best. As long as JMac does not let Pride of Jenni do what she did last year she should be winning. ------------- Remember, it might take intelligence to be smart , but it takes experience to be wise |
Posted By: Afros
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2025 at 5:32pm
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By-passing the Makybe Diva Stakes this week at Flemington, will instead either run next in the 7 Stakes at Randwick on Saturday week or the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield the same day, with the Turnbull Stakes her 3rd up assignment. Yulong plan to run both their star mares (Treasurethe Moment) in the Cox Plate but don't want them to clash prior, so one can ascertain from that that the younger mare will be running in the Makybe Diva Stakes and Might and Power Stakes prior to the Cox Plate, she's already around evens for both those races. Interestingly Via Sistina isn't at present in the market for the Underwood, so the bag shakers obviously think she is far more likely to be running over a mile at Randwick next start. ------------- The worlds oldest fossil was discovered in Australia, they named it Rupert Murdoch. |
Posted By: HarnessGuru
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2025 at 6:30pm
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Posted this in Treasure thread few days ago: Treasure: Makybe > Might & Power > Cox Plate Sistina: 7 Stakes > Turnbull > Cox Plate
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Posted By: Afros
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2025 at 9:49pm
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She was taken out of the Makybe Diva Stakes nominations early this morning and subsequently re-entered upon the news that Treasurethe Moment would not run, all seems a little strange to suddenly change plans because the other mare came down with colic? Makes me think she may be worth taking on if she runs this weekend. ------------- The worlds oldest fossil was discovered in Australia, they named it Rupert Murdoch. |
Posted By: slowdown
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2025 at 9:54pm
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from what I heard on the radio this morning it was the owners' decision to split them so they did not race against each other Afros. the colic case meant that wasn't going to happen. ------------- The Spirit of Zero resuming. Raymond(Midnight) Resuming next week. Lulu (Rising) spelling. Alli - Spelling. Jeffrey spelling. Ambi Boo spelling. Sh'bourne Angel spelling. |
Posted By: HarnessGuru
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2025 at 9:56pm
| Plus Waller still to think about actually racing her. The nom is so Waller still has the option if he wants to. She isn't over the line to start yet. |
Posted By: Afros
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2025 at 8:34am
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They can still race separately even if neither runs this week in the Makybe Diva Stakes, should they both be running Saturday week, the Underwood for one and the 7 Stakes for the other. I just think it feels a little dis-organised insofar as (prior to colic) the plan was reportedly TTM in the Makybe Diva, Via Sistina either the Underwood or 7 Stakes, looks to me like the Makybe Diva has only become an option because TTM is out ergo if Via Sistina runs. Worth remembering that in each of her two full preparations in Australia she has had one surprise non-winning run, 5th in the Makybe Diva last spring, 3rd in the Apollo in the autumn. ------------- The worlds oldest fossil was discovered in Australia, they named it Rupert Murdoch. |
Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2025 at 9:31am
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Waller has just put out a statement confirming she will run in the Makybe Diva ------------- Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing |
Posted By: kiwi88
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2025 at 10:10am
| Yesterday morning JMac was confirmed to be riding Aeliana and now he's riding Via Sistina... |
Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2025 at 11:50am
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Lane on Aeliana ------------- Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing |
Posted By: brave_ponies
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2025 at 8:42pm
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All hail Queen Via! It would’ve been a hard run today but she proved she’s not just outstandingly talented, she’s tough
 |
Posted By: Lord Hybrow
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2025 at 9:25am
Back to back Cox Plates & Mackinnon Stks  Modest opposition yesterday but she did the job professionally again. So consistent every prep, I assume the autumn 2026 will be her swan song campaign? Here’s hoping we get to see her clash multiple times with Alieana, Autumn Glow & Sir Delius |
Posted By: Plastic letters
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2025 at 4:46pm
| I know she’s top self but there’s something about her that keeps me thinking she’ll be exposed. BUT she never is🤔 |
Posted By: VSP.
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2026 at 1:01pm
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The decision has been made to retire Via Sistina. We feel that following her second Cox Plate win and her impressive victory in the Champion Stakes, she hasn’t come back this preparation as her normal highly energetic self. Via Sistina was cleverly purchased from the UK by Mr Zhang and his team, having already been a Group 1 winner and performing at the highest of levels in England, France and Ireland. She won the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at her first Australian start which was something special and I think we shook our heads that day at the tremendous way she won and little did we know, it was just the start of multiple Group 1 race wins and her becoming the current Australian Horse Of The Year. I would like to thank Via Sistina for the journey she has taken us all on from her first-up wins over short distances, to her back-to-back Cox Plate victories which is something we will always remember. She is tough, determined and a beautiful mare to work with. The entire Chris Waller Racing team need to be congratulated for the time and effort they have put into Via Sistina, as do the spelling and pre-training farms, the farriers, vets and physios – I want to applaud you all on her amazing career. I would like to congratulate Mr Zhang, Jun and April Zhang, Sam Fairgray and the team at Yulong for their support and congratulate them on the success of Via Sistina's racing career as well as her management. We look forward to hearing what the future holds for Via Sistina in the breeding barn and beyond. Thank you Via Sistina. Chris Waller ------------- https://skiboots.wixsite.com/cats |
Posted By: Second Chance
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2026 at 1:09pm
| Huge news. Thanks VSP. |
Posted By: Afros
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2026 at 1:52pm
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Credit to Waller for taking a 6yo mare and training her to win another 11 Group 1s. I see she trialed on Thursday, obviously she must have shown something there that told her she was finished. ------------- The worlds oldest fossil was discovered in Australia, they named it Rupert Murdoch. |
Posted By: brave_ponies
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2026 at 1:58pm
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Wonderful news! Kudos to Yulong and Waller for not going around again. May her broodmare years be long, happy and healthy
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Posted By: djebel
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2026 at 2:16pm
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A blinkered Ceowuld has scared them off. ------------- reductio ad absurdum |
Posted By: Freefall
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2026 at 4:40pm
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Waller would have made a brilliant politician. He knows where his bread is buttered. I’m not having a shot from the cheap seats but his lauding of the Zhang’s was a bit “minging”. A great horse, well trained, who always gave her best. And I’m a fan of Waller the horseman - not necessarily his factory.
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Posted By: Second Chance
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2026 at 4:52pm
| Though as Confucius did famously say in circa 450 BCE: "If you're going to suck make sure it's on the right tit". |
Posted By: Freefall
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2026 at 5:00pm
| Well said SC 👍 |
Posted By: GAJ
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2026 at 9:07pm
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She is an amazing mare, I have to wonder if her hocks are giving her trouble now. |
Posted By: VSP.
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2026 at 11:26am
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From Yulong facebook page: .....The closing of one chapter leads to the opening of another, and while there is a tinge of sadness that we will not see her on the racetrack again, we are excited to follow Via Sistina’s journey as she embarks into motherhood. In the coming weeks, she will return to the UK and will be prepared for a date with Darley’s preeminent global sire sensation, Dubawi. ------------- https://skiboots.wixsite.com/cats |
Posted By: Freefall
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2026 at 2:40pm
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I just called a good mate who works in the industry to wish her a happy early 20’ish birthday. She works with someone who actually drove the mare to the airport on her way overseas. Every time my mate turns around this bloke is showing her photos of the trip etc 😀 She’s over it 😂
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Posted By: Lastycoon
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2026 at 3:08pm
Should tell her to go easy on him, not everyone has the opportunity for glory in their life even if it is only slightly reflected. It may be the greatest thing that he is ever a part of, he will be showing his rather confused grandkids the same photos in 30 years
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Posted By: Freefall
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2026 at 4:25pm
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You’re right lol. Reflected glory is all I cling to these days 😀 I know the fella too. He’s a knockabout, good bloke and a trainer. I can understand his pride in driving her down. |
Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2026 at 1:01pm
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Yulong Investments has confirmed champion mare Via Sistina is in foal to super sire Dubawi. The decision was made earlier this year to retire Via Sistina following a glittering career that included 12 Group 1 wins, highlighted by her back-to-back Cox Plate victories. Yulong's chief operating officer Sam Fairgray told Racing HQ on Tuesday morning that Via Sistina is enjoying her time in Newmarket and a few days ago tested positive to being in foal to Dubawi. "She's at our property at Newmarket in England and she's in foal to Dubawi," Fairgray said. "It's great news that we heard a couple of days ago that she tested positive, so it's really exciting now to see the first foal out of Via." "Obviously he (Dubawi) is a champion stallion and physically it's a good mating with Via being a big, robust mare and Dubawi being a smaller, neater and stronger sort of horse. "So, it worked on paper and physically as well." ------------- It takes a wise man a lifetime to grow a tree and a fool five minutes to kill one. |
Posted By: scratchy09
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2026 at 6:05pm
| Disappointed this was not bred to southern hemisphere time. |
Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2026 at 8:04pm
".............a few days ago tested positive to being in foal to Dubawi." Suggests a Sthn. Hemishere foaling to me Major Oooops  I meant Northern 
------------- It takes a wise man a lifetime to grow a tree and a fool five minutes to kill one. |
Posted By: scratchy09
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2026 at 8:33pm
| Considering ahe was retired at the end of 2025 and put into training for a 2026 autumn prep before they pulled the pin, I would think it isnt but I very well could be wrong. |
Posted By: Tlazolteotl
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2026 at 9:00pm
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You would have to be an idiot to breed Via Sistina to Southern Hemisphere time. ------------- Manners are of more importance than laws Edmund Burke |
Posted By: scratchy09
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2026 at 6:16am
| Considering yulong are an Australian based stud, and im an australian, and she raced her best in australia, very easy to see why id want her to be bred to Southern Hemisphere time. |
Posted By: Tlazolteotl
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2026 at 9:14am
Nah, it's the obvious Arc 2030 winner but being in Australia will ruin my plan. ------------- Manners are of more importance than laws Edmund Burke |