Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained mare Via Sistina, ran right up to expectations with an impressive Australian debut to salute for the punters in the 2024 Ranvet Stakes results.
2024 Ranvet Stakes winner Via Sistina has firmed into all-in favouritism to take out the Queen Elizabeth Stakes this autumn. Photo: Steve Hart.
The world class daughter of Fastnet Rock enjoyed an elite level win first-up down under coming off a slow speed to pick up the small but smart field with ease and claim victory in the Group 1 $1 million Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day.
“She is a privilege to train. (Her former UK trainer) George Boughey has done a fantastic job with her career. She is very lightly raced,” Waller told the media after the win.
“James Ferguson prepared her for us from Newmarket and we’ve put the finishing touches on her the last three weeks.
“In fact, we haven’t really, we’ve just backed off, she came across very fit so we haven’t panicked, we’ve just kept her safe and in good shape.”
Jockey James McDonald continued his outstanding form posting Group 1 win number 91 after riding the well-supported import with patience.
He settled her back last in the run as Kerry Parker’s last start Verry Elleegant Stakes winner Think It Over took up front running going at a dawdle in the lead.
Despite getting his way throughout, Think It Over was quickly challenged on the home straight and weakened to run fourth.
Via Sistina ($2.30F) meanwhile got onto the back of the fellow Yu Long-raced import Place Du Carrousel getting a good trail before pulling wide and charging home down the outside.
She showed plenty of talent to come off a no-speed affair and fire late to win by one and a half lengths on the line.
“She’s got a big motor and, dare I say it, I think she’ll improve off that,” McDonald said.
“Slow speed, fast speed, wet or dry, it doesn’t matter.”
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Place Du Carrousel ($6) finished second, while third went to Waller’s potential Doncaster Mile-bound European expat Buckaroo ($9).
The sky looks the limit for the now two-time Group 1 winning six-year-old Via Sistina with options galore over the autumn including the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 13.
William Haggas’ UK raider Dubai Honour completed the Ranvet Stakes – Queen Elizabeth Stakes double last year.
The all-in price in updated Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2024 betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for Via Sistina to be the next have firmed into $3 and she now leads the markets that can be found in full here.
“That’s good to hear (she is now favourite for the Queen Elizabeth),” Waller said.
“I was a little surprised today, there was no speed but she picked up so quick.
“It didn’t look like much (speed) on paper and that was a concern, but to amble up and for James (McDonald) to be sitting motionless at the 200, it was pretty good to watch.”
2024 Ranvet Stakes Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | VIA SISTINA (IRE) | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 6 | 57kg | $2.30F | |||
| 2 | 7 | PLACE DU CARROUSEL (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Tommy Berry | 1.2L | 4 | 57kg | $6 | ||
| 3 | 3 | BUCKAROO (GB) | Chris Waller | Ryan Moore | 1.27L | 2 | 59kg | $9 | ||
| 4 | 1 | THINK IT OVER | Kerry Parker | Nash Rawiller | 1.6L | 1 | 59kg | $3.20 | ||
| 5 | 2 | MILITARY MISSION (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 2.34L | 5 | 59kg | $18 | ||
| 6 | 4 | ZEYREK (FR) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Hugh Bowman | 2.63L | 3 | 59kg | $14 | ||
| 8 | RIFF ROCKET | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 0 | ||||||
| 5 | BOIS D’ARGENT (GB) | Annabel Neasham | Chad Schofield | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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