Dominant Cox Plate winner By way of Sistina has shot to outright Melbourne Cup favouritism regardless of not but being a confirmed starter for the race that stops the nation.
By way of Sistina seems primed to tackle the three,200m staying check at Flemington on November 5 after smashing Winx’s race document within the 2,040m Group 1 function at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained seven-year-old mare jumped as third-favourite and gained Australasia’s weight-for-age championship by a document eight lengths from pre-race favorite Prognosis.
However connections of By way of Sistina — purchased by Yulong Investments for $5.5 million in December final yr — will “let the mud settle” earlier than deciding whether or not to again her up within the Melbourne Cup.
“We’re not going to rule something out at this stage … we’re simply going to benefit from the second,” Yulong common supervisor Vin Cox mentioned after the Cox Plate triumph.
If she begins and is profitable, By way of Sistina would turn into solely the second galloper to say the Cox Plate-Melbourne Cup double this century, after legendary mare Makybe Diva (2005).
Three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva is considered one of simply 5 to have accomplished the feted double, together with Nightmarch (1929), Phar Lap (1930), Rising Quick (1954) and Saintly (1996).
James McDonald steered By way of Sistina to her beautiful Cox Plate victory and was in awe of the show.
“She gained like Winx … it was only a phenomenal efficiency,” McDonald advised the Seven Community.
It was McDonald’s third consecutive Cox Plate triumph — after wins with Romantic Warrior final yr and Anamoe in 2022 — and his a hundredth Group 1 victory.
By way of Sistina had been in severe doubt to begin the race after throwing McDonald throughout trackwork 4 days earlier.
The incident compelled an entire rethink of her preparation by Waller, who wasn’t occupied with taking credit score for the mare’s fast restoration.
“We have performed this stuff earlier than,” the coach advised Seven.
“Neglect what occurred Tuesday, she’s an excellent horse and (it was) my job to show it.”
Waller has gained the Melbourne Cup as soon as, when McDonald steered Verry Elleegant to victory in 2021.
AAP
