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Source: horseracing.com.au, by Lucy Henderson
The Group 1 $1 million Turnbull Stakes result again went the way of master trainer Chris Waller who solidified his giant status in the event securing his sixth win in ten years with a thrilling one-two finish at Flemington on Saturday.
Chris Waller enjoyed his sixth Turnbull Stakes win in 2024 with Via Sistina saluting. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
This year’s edition of the important spring lead-up went down to the wire with the stable’s now four-time Group 1 winning imported mare, Via Sistina, edging out her stablemate Buckaroo after they fought it out in a neck-and-neck battle over the closing stages.
Via Sistina, ridden to perfection by Damian Lane, charged late to enjoy her second elite level win this campaign after her Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) triumph fresh in Sydney.
Her latest run saw her out of the money behind Mr Brightside at Flemington in the Makybe Diva Stakes on a Heavy rated track.
“She obviously was the class horse in the field, and I rode her accordingly; albeit I still think she didn’t love the (soft) ground,” Lane said post-victory.
“It wasn’t as testing as last time out, so I think she can improve again under firmer footing.
“She’s just got a really big stride in her, she just lengthens I’d say. She just picks up and sustains a really good gallop more than lets rip.
“Buckaroo headed her and she was just really solid through the line, so yeah classy mare.”
Via Sistina held off a determined Buckaroo, last start winner of the Underwood Stakes over 1800m at Caulfield by 3.5 lengths, to claim the coveted Turnbull Stakes title on way to more glory over the coming weeks.
Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira piloted Buckaroo in a brave effort making up plenty of late ground to challenge only to go down a neck and be denied a third straight win this prep.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott‘s pre-race favourite Eliyass secured a respectable third-place finish despite a challenging wide draw having run on speed throughout before crossing 1.7 lengths off the winner.
Waller’s stable representative, Charlie Duckworth, praised Via Sistina’s performance and said the team would weigh up next-up options including the Group 1 $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.
While the Caulfield Cup over 2400m on October 19 remains a possibility, where Via Sistina could be given the chance to emulate Verry Elleegant’s 2020 feat of winning the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup double, the Cox Plate looks the preferred target.
“It is a tricky one,” he said.
“Obviously, Ozzie Kheir and Qatar with Sheikh Fahad and David Redvers will make a decision whether they want to rematch around The Valley.
“He did make it pretty tough for her, or whether we step up to a mile and a half.
“We won’t worry about that today. We’ll just enjoy the win and enjoy the placings.
“Obviously, her 2,000 metre performance at the end of the carnival last year was fantastic. So that’s certainly in her sort of copy book and we’ll plot a path towards that.”
Via Sistina is now a $21 chance and Buckaroo the joint favourite at $7 for the Caulfield Cup in all-in markets at Ladbrokes.
A potential rematch in the Cox Plate has Via Sistina currently sitting at $6 through the race sponsor and Buckaroo at $11.