Chris Waller showed his champion trainer qualities when he remained cool in a crisis after a mishap threatened to derail the Cox Plate ambitions of Via Sistina.
Breakfast With The Best on Tuesday morning is when the potential stars of the Cox Plate are out to do their final bits of work, having done their preliminaries in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s Group 1 contest over 2040m at Moonee Valley.
But it all looked to go pear-shaped for Via Sistina when she dumped jockey James Mcdonald and galloped wildly for a further two circuits of the Moonee Valley track.
Speculation was rife that would be the end of Via SIstina’s Cox Plate hopes, but Waller refused to give up, with the mare returning to The Valley two days later for a peaceful reacquaintance with the course.
Waller needed to look for any signs of stress in the mare from Tuesday’s ordeal, but none were evident, and Cox Plate hopes and dreams were back in full swing.
Not only did Via Sistina win the Cox Plate, but she also raced to a record equalling margin of eight lengths while breaking the course record of Winx by almost two seconds, registered in one of her four Cox Plate victories.
Under the guidance of James McDonald, Via Sistina ($5) defeated the $3.40 betting sites favourite Prognosis with Broadsiding ($6.50) a further two lengths away third.
“It was a big week, but I’ve just had full support from the owners, my staff, all the team, Moonee Valley,” Waller said.
“It’s just been overwhelming.
“There’s not been any negativity, only positive vibes. I’m so proud of her, so proud of her.”
Waller said there was not one key factor that convinced him Via Sistina was right to take her place on Saturday.
“There were probably 10 key factors, and it’s not anything else except common sense, simple as that,” Waller said.
“We never lost faith and just followed our instincts.”
Via Sistina’s victory was McDonald’s third Cox Plate in succession, having scored on Anamoe in 2022 and Romantic Warrior last year, while it also brought up his 100th Group 1 win.
McDonald had been chasing his 100th Group 1 win for the last few weeks and the pressure was starting to build.
“These last few weeks have been pretty tough, and (wife) Katelyn’s been unreal in her support, and she’s saying it will happen,” McDonald said.
“And Mum has been there helping with the kids and that takes so much work and effort, I’ m so lucky, and I’ve got a beautiful family, and I honestly can’t believe I’ve won this race again.
“I love this race. I love this place and to win a Cox Plate with Chris Waller, who is my greatest supporter is so special.
“It’s so fitting he’s brought up my 100th and to do it in such a prestigious race like the Cox Plate.
“I’m blessed, so blessed.”
While Waller was confident Via Sistina would be right to start on Saturday following Tuesday’s mishap, McDonald had not been as confident.
But he has learned over time not to second guess Waller.
“I thought our hopes were doomed,” McDonald said.
“I think there was a fantastic picture there when I popped myself up and looked and watched her gallop away and, I think, if looks could tell a story, we were stuffed.”
