Waller's trio ready to rumble in Group 1 Cox Plate

MELBOURNE - It was an uneventful morning for the Chris Waller trio of Cox Plate contestants, as they had their final workouts ahead of the weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley on Oct 25.

In 2024, Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina dumped her rider James McDonald, and galloped a couple of extra laps at Moonee Valley before returning to the track the following Saturday on Oct 26 to win the Group 1 Cox Plate (2,040m) by eight lengths.

She also smashed Winx's Moonee Valley track record set in the 2017 Cox Plate by stopping the clock in 2min 01.07sec, 1.87 seconds faster than Australia's legendary mare and four-time Cox Plate winner.

Now an eight-year-old, it was a more sedate Via Sistina who stepped out with McDonald in the saddle, and sporting a set of earmuffs when working solo.

Her stablemates, Aeliana (Group 1 Australian Derby (2,400m) winner) and Buckaroo (2024 Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1,800m) victor), also worked solo to round out their preparations for the Group 1 showpiece worth A$6 million (S$5.1 million).

A 10-time Group 1 winner, Via Sistina drew barrier 5, with Aeliana in gate 8 and Buckaroo in barrier 4 in the nine-horse field.

Waller said the stable fitted the earmuffs on Via Sistina as she was full of energy, but also declared the mare is spot-on for Oct 25's feature race at weight-for-age.

"She's the same as last year," said Waller.

"I know she hasn't won in her last couple of runs. But the sectional times, if you break them down, I think she's going as well.

"We just haven't had the pressure in the races that we would have liked. Subsequently, she hasn't won, but she's going very well."

The Sydney premier trainer said he was concerned whether there would be enough pressure in the Cox Plate, but the mare will not be ridden out of her comfort zone.

"She needs to make her own luck, her own sectional times," he said.

"We'll be riding our own race. It's a Cox Plate. It's her grand final. It's like any sport, it brings out good competition."

Waller has seen steady improvement from Aeliana since the Temolie four-year-old was sent to Melbourne in early September, with her coat just about where it should be.

He said in terms of "inner health", the mare is in a good spot, albeit her coat has not yet had the glow to it that he has been hoping for.

"Her blood pathology is spot-on. Her recovery is good, she's working well," he said.

"I can't fault her. She's just a young horse that's still maturing and waiting for the spring and that warmth to bring her coat through.

"She's as good as we can have her, and I think she's good enough to be running well."

Waller made the decision to run Aeliana after watching her work at The Valley on the morning of Oct 18, and noticed her coat was beginning to get some colour. Most importantly, her work was good.

"That was the telling point for me, and I said, 'yep, there's nothing wrong with you, so you can run'," said Waller.

Buckaroo missed his start in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2,400m) on Oct 18, when he would have to shoulder the top weight of 59kg.

Waller said the Fastnet Rock seven-year-old gelding probably needs to lift to win the Cox Plate, but the forecast of rain gives him his chance.

"We can see a little bit of rain coming. Compared to the Caulfield Cup where he had 59 kilos, and which we opted out of, it's a fairer contest at weight-for-age," he said.

"We need a bit of rain, but he's a warhorse, and he'll run up to his best."

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