Via Sistina ‘well prepared’ for Apollo return
Chris Waller insists that Via Sistina is now fully acclimated and well-prepared for her bid to maintain an unbeaten Australian first-up record in Saturday’s $300,000 Apollo Stakes.
The seven-year-old mare claimed the Ranvet Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at her first start in Australia last March, and kicked off her last preparation winning the Winx Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) before heading to Melbourne, where she added the Turnbull Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m), Cox Plate and Champions Stakes to her CV.
“In her first prep she was just off the plane and last prep her coat didn’t come right until after the Cox Plate,’’ Waller told Racing NSW.
“It’s a short break from the spring now to Apollo Stakes Day so they don’t get too far away from you in terms of fitness. She’s had two trials and an exhibition gallop so she’s well prepared. She’s at the right weight and mentally she’s great.”
The Verry Elleegant Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) on March 1 will be the next step for the mare before either the George Ryder Stakes (Gr 1, 1500m) or Ranvet Stakes en route to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
“I’d be leaning to the Ranvet but she’s pretty versatile, I’ll see what she needs to go into the Queen Elizabeth which is the grand final,” Waller said.
Waller also has defending champion Fangirl (Sebring) plus Atishu (Savabeel) and Lindermann (Lonhro) in Saturday’s contest. “Fangirl is very effective over 1400 metres, so if there’s a chink in Via Sistina’s armour it’s probably first-up,’’ he added.