Via Sistina All Tuned Up As Spring Campaign Nears

Trainer Waller's champion mare will step out for her first trial at Randwick on July 22

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SYDNEY - Champion trainer Chris Waller said Via Sistina could follow a similar programme to last spring's, which saw the top mare land four Group 1 victories — the Winx Stakes (1,400m), the Turnbull Stakes (2,000m), the Cox Plate (2,040m) and the Champions Stakes (2,000m).

The 2024-25 Australian Horse of the Year will make her first public appearance on the morning of July 22 when she steps out in the opening heat of 17 trials at Randwick.

The 850m trial on the Kensington track has brought together a field of eight, which includes Via Sistina's stablemate and Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1,600m) winner Fangirl, as well as two other Group 1 winners - Tom Kitten and Zardozi - trained by James Cummings.

Waller is planning on having Via Sistina — the victor of the 2024 Winx Stakes - defend her title first-up in the Winx Stakes at Randwick on Aug 23. He will then look at bringing the Fastnet Rock seven-year-old to Melbourne to run in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1,600m) at Flemington on Sept 13.