Main race at Moonee Valley to jump at 5.40pm as Via Sistina favoured in a tight race field
Champion jockey James McDonald joked that he would fall from Via Sistina a second time if it meant a record-breaking victory in the $6 million Cox Plate and a sought-after slice of history.
Much smoother preparation for Saturday’s 2040m Group 1 competition means the star basketball player will not have to recover from such a dodgy start this time around to win the Australasian weight-for-age championship for the fourth consecutive year.
Trainer Chris Waller and Candice Persijn pose with Via Sistina at the Flemington Stables Tour in September.Credit: Getty Images
A near-perfect build is no guarantee that Via Sistina will set new marks after last year’s record-equalling eight-length victory, which beat legendary filly Winx’s previous best by almost two seconds.
But it does give McDonald a big shot at victory aboard the reigning champion and fierce favorite in what will be the final race of the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley before a $220 million redevelopment of the quaint, rectangular racetrack.
“It would be very exciting to win this, especially to be last,” said McDonald, a 120-time Group 1 winner. he said.
“It is a place rich in history and we have seen some incredible champions grace the field here.
“It will be sad to see him go but it would be nice to win the last race of the Cox Plate (in the traditional configuration).”
Via Sistina was the beaten favorite in her last two starts – both in Group 1 contests at Flemington.
But McDonald, widely known as “J-Mac”, insists the eight-year-old filly’s condition is as good as it was 12 months ago, when she avoided throwing the jockey onto the track just four days after a Cox Plate demolition job.
“I would have done another flip for this result,” McDonald said.
“He’s doing well. We haven’t made the right arrangements for him to show his best and normally Cox Plate will do that.”
“This is an outstanding race and something we really enjoy being a part of and of course there will be (eight) competitors all pushing for the same victory.
“We’re looking forward to this fight and I’m pretty happy with how he feels.”
The Cox Plate field was weakened by the elimination of previous favorite Sir Delius, who was deemed to be at “high risk of injury” under Racing Victoria’s controversial veterinary protocols.
AAP
