Via Sistina has arrived for the spring with Chris Waller’s outstanding import dominating late to score final stride thriller in a stable 2024 Winx Guineas trifecta.

Ladbrokes Cox Plate favourite Via Sistina (inside) won the 2024 Winx Stakes first-up at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart.

Waller claimed his incredible eighth victory in the former Warwick Stakes with the now Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m) kicking off elite level racing at Royal Randwick for the spring.

Fangirl was his defending champion looking for back-to-back wins as the $2.40 favourite in Winx Stakes betting, but after having to go out wide and cover ground she only managed to run third behind two of her stablemates.

Forgotten in the markets with the 1400m distance looking short of her best, Via Sistina pulled out a stellar late run driving through to secure her third career Group 1 success and second in Australia.

The talented seven-year-old Fastnet Rock mare won Rosehill’s Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) first-up in the autumn before her distant second to the outstanding Pride Of Jenni in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

The punters left her alone fresh this time in over the shorter distance, but Via Sistina ($11) was given a peach of a ride, perfectly timed by Kerrin McEvoy to drive up the inside late and snare a half-head win over Zougotcha ($6.50).  

“Great win,” McEvoy said after hopping off the Winx Stakes winner.

“She’s just a winner basically.

“She’s a competitor. The unknown was the 1400m in this grade and first-up, but she really motored the last furlong.

“A fantastic training effort to see her do that first-up, and the world is her oyster this spring now.”

As expected, Tropical Squall bounded straight to the front and led the Winx Stakes field around.

Tommy Berry got up on speed settling second on Zougotcha first-up, the Coolmore Classic – Queen Of The Turf Stakes double winner looking to steal the show when hitting the lead with 300m to go.

It looked like she would have enough in the tank to fend off the challengers, but in the last 150m Via Sistina rattled home to join her stablemate on the wire and rocket to the line first.

The Winx Stakes winning mare has now had seven starts in Group 1 grade for three wins, three seconds and a third.

Looking to have come back in ever better form than her opening prep in Australia, Waller and the team are now facing a huge spring campaign with options galore.

“Obviously she’s a very smart horse,” the master trainer told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-win.

“She’s beaten them today, but it will be a match race I’m sure in a few weeks’ time.

“It was a beautiful ride from Kerrin. He had plenty of horse topping the famous Randwick rise and she was strong all the way to the line.

“Good racing’s what people want to see, and we’ve got the arsenal for a good spring.”

Via Sistina is being set for a Group 1 $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) bid at Moonee Valley on October 26.

She now sits top of the all-in 2024 Cox Plate odds online at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au paying $4.50 with full markets available by clicking here.

2024 Winx Stakes Results & Finishing Order

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