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How Via Sistina can return to her Cox Plate best
Andrew Slevison • October 7th, 2025 3:16 pm
Via Sistina has been below her stunning best at her last two runs but there might be a reason for that.
The 10-time Group 1 winner has run third at each of her last two Group 1 starts at Flemington - the Makybe Diva Stakes and Turnbull Stakes.
Eventual winner Mr Brightside dawdled in the Makybe and none could make up ground before Via Sistina failed to pick up Sir Delius and Antino from the back of the Turnbull field on Saturday.
Already there have been some critics suggesting Via Sistina is lacking her trademark finishing burst and that she might find it very difficult to defender her Cox Plate title.
However, Yulong COO Sam Fairgray is certainly not throwing in the towel just yet.
He believes a customarily fast-run race will suit the champion mare in her quest for back-to-back Cox Plates at Moonee Valley on October 25.
“I think she’s a mare that wants races run at a good pace and she probably hasn’t had that in her last two runs,” Fairgray said on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.
“She’s run well and racing is not an easy game when you get up to that level. That’s what makes it so great.
“The Cox Plate this year is going to be absolutely fantastic with the new kids on the block and she’s going there trying to defend her crown.
“We know that she likes The Valley and now it’s just waiting for the next couple of weeks to pass.
“The Cox Plate is always a race that is run with plenty of speed in it and it’s going to be a really exciting race this year.
“There’s going to be jockeys who are taking off early and Via is going to be there trucking along. It is going to be a fantastic race.”
Yulong will have the Chris Waller-trained Via Sistina as well as Treasurethe Moment, all going well, in this year’s Cox Plate.
After a mild case of colic Treasurethe Moment ran second in the Feehan Stakes behind Pride Of Jenni at The Valley on September 26.
Before Matt Laurie’s emerging mare tackles Australia’s premier weight-for-age race she’ll run in the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield this Saturday.
“I thought she ran very well behind Pride Of Jenni after her little setback with colic,” Fairgray said of the four-time Group 1 winner.
“She heads to Saturday and hopefully she can perform well. She’s so honest and she gives her all at every start.
“I’m sure on Saturday she’ll be doing the same.”
As for Yulong owner Mr Zhang’s best Cox Plate chance?
“I think he’d say Via Sistina.”
Via Sistina is still favoured to run well in the Cox Plate, but has been bumped to second favourite with Bet365 where she is currently a $3.50 quote.
Treasurethe Moment is $7.50 for the 2040m Group 1 at The Valley which will be the last Cox Plate at the iconic track before it is redeveloped.
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