Via Sistina - the Best Fastnet Rock of Them All!

Irish bred import Via Sistina (7m Fastnet Rock x Nigh, by Galileo) raced her way into the record books at Moonee Valley on Saturday when scoring a dazzling victory in the $5million Group I MVRC Cox Plate (2040m).

At the track where legends are made, the Chris Waller trained Via Sistina started the week with a near disaster when a bandage unravelled at Breakfast with the Best and she lost her rider James McDonald in her last serious pre-race hit out. Via Sistina proceeded to gallop another couple of laps of the track alone, but what may have unsettled a lesser horse has had zero effect on this colossus of a mare.

She fronted up on race day in perfect order and dished out a virtuoso performance in the Yulong colours.

Via Sistina trotted up by eight lengths smashing the track record when clocking 2.01.07 and eclipsing the previous best of 2.02.94 set in 2017 by the great champion Winx.

Japanese raider Prognosis was second with the three year-old colt Broadsiding in third.

"It was a big week, but I've just had full support from the owners, my staff, all the team, Moonee Valley," Waller said.

"It's just been overwhelming.

"There's not been any negativity, only positive vibes. I'm so proud of her, so proud of her."

Waller and his staff worked quickly and efficiently to assess and rectify what occurred in the lead up to the race.

"There were probably 10 key factors, and it's not anything else except common sense, simple as that," Waller said.

"We never lost faith and just followed our instincts."

Via Sistina's victory was third Cox Plate in succession for Jame McDonald, who scored on Anamoe in 2022 and Romantic Warrior last year, while it also brought up his 100th Group 1 win.

"These last few weeks have been pretty tough, and (wife) Katelyn's been unreal in her support, and she's saying it will happen," McDonald said.

"And Mum has been there helping with the kids and that takes so much work and effort, I' m so lucky, and I've got a beautiful family, and I honestly can't believe I've won this race again.

"I love this race. I love this place and to win a Cox Plate with Chris Waller, who is my greatest supporter is so special.

"It's so fitting he's brought up my 100th and to do it in such a prestigious race like the Cox Plate.

"I'm blessed, so blessed."

Now favourite for the Melbourne Cup in which she will carry 56kg, 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 the bid of Yulong be the second highest priced mare at the sale.

Via Sistina has the overall record of nine wins and six placings from 19 starts and is the best of four winners from Nigh, an unraced half-sister by Galileo to dual Group I winning sprinter Kingsgate Native.

Her sire Fastnet Rock is now enjoying a well earned retirement at Coolmore Australia and his place on the roster has been taken by his promising young son Acrobat.

The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick that has produced both Via Sistina and Buckaroo has produced 29 SW’s – 11 G1 winners - from 158 starters so has over 18% SW to runner.