Via Sistina dominates Ranvet Stakes to earn 8th career Group 1 win

Via Sistina continues to be one of the most dominant horses currently running in Australia right now. The seven-year-old mare won Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. She has now won eight Group 1 races in her career and seven in Australia since coming Down Under from Great Britain 12 months ago.

The win on Saturday was also Via Sistina’s second Group 1 win in as many races, after having won the Verry Elleegant Stakes at Randwick earlier this month.

Favourite wins big

Via Sistina finished first by over a length and half to her stablemate Lindermann. A well-worked run down the final stretch, where she overtook Lindermann and Full Count Felicia, secured the win.

As impressive as Via Sistina’s run was, it was also an expected win. The betting sites gave the mare $1.22 odds to win. No one else had even close to these odds.

Lindermann was the second favourite at $11, while William Haggas’ Al Mubhir was third favourite at $13.

Mubhir finished in sixth (last place), while Lindermann lived up to his odds, finishing second. Annabel Neasham’s Fawkner Park ran in third, two lengths behind the winner.

“Lit up our lives”

After her big win on Saturday, Chris Waller was asked to reflect on Via Sistina’s time in Australia. After all, no one ever knows how a horse will settle. According to Waller, Via Sistina exceeded all of his expectations in her first 12 months in Australia.

“She has lit up our lives,” Waller said.

“Twelve months ago today we didn’t know what we had coming out of quarantine. Obviously, we had a good article and a good horse to work with and a very supportive team with Yulong. They rarely make a mistake in Australian racing.

“She is a star. She is an unassuming horse but come race day she really turns it on.

“You can win Group One races here and there but good horses win them all the time and they’re hard to find.”

Queen Elizabeth Stakes calling

Trainer Chris Waller also revealed after the race that Via Sistina will be headed to Randwick in three weeks for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Via Sistina finished second to Pride Of Jenni. According to this year’s odds though, she stands a good chance of winning it in 2025. Most betting apps have Via Sistina as the favourite with $1.80 chances.

Waller wouldn’t comment on whether Via Sistina will win in three weeks. However, he thinks Saturday’s win was excellent preparation for the big race.

“It was perfect,” Waller said.

“She had an economical run throughout. She was travelling well enough to angle out on the turn, just went through her gears nicely and when the pressure comes into a race, that’s when she knows how to perform.

“I thought she might have actually got away from us a little bit today so I think there is improvement to come.”