Chris Waller is no stranger to showing emotion, but his latest achievement was truly remarkable as he secured a record-breaking eleventh victory in the Verry Elleegant Stakes, with Via Sistina returning to the winner’s stall at Randwick.
Despite having won 173 Group 1 races, these moments remain special for the Sydney-based New Zealander. His latest triumph saw him surpass the legendary Tommy Smith’s record of ten wins in the Group 1 race over 1600 metres, formerly known as the Chipping Norton Stakes.
Waller’s emotions were evident, especially after witnessing his two standout mares, Via Sistina and Fangirl, engage in a thrilling battle to the finish line.
“I knew it was going to be a battle of tactics, and James was concerned about the draw (barrier 8), in terms of where we would get to,” Waller said.
“The track is racing pretty quick today and it is hard to make up a lot of ground, so the last 200m I was proud, simple as that.
“Unfortunately, there had to be a winner.”
Fangirl ($3.30) made a strong challenge against Via Sistina ($1.60 favourite), setting up what briefly looked like a repeat of her victory in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago. However, it was the 2024 Cox Plate champion who prevailed, winning by a neck, with stablemate Lindermann ($11) finishing third.
Following this race, Waller confirmed that the paths of his two mares would now diverge. Fangirl will head to the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m), while Via Sistina will contest the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) on March 22, both en route to the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
Jockey James McDonald, securing his 111th Group 1 victory, acknowledged the challenge of maintaining Via Sistina’s high level of performance.
“There’s no guarantees in racing, but she’s going to be awfully hard to beat, especially now that that second-up run is out of the way,” McDonald said.
“We all know what she can do third and fourth-up, and her big one is fourth-up, so that’s when she won her Cox Plate.
“Hopefully, she can get somewhere near that. She probably won’t ever get near that again, but at least she can get somewhere close,” he added, referencing her Cox Plate performance, which was rated 130 by Racing and Sports.
Via Sistina’s victory came less than an hour after Waller and McDonald combined to claim the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) with Lady Shenandoah.
