Horse of The Year Elect Equals Winx Record

Via Sistina confirmed her place among racing's elite with a stirring victory in Saturday's $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), giving James McDonald his moment and equalling the legendary Winx's record of seven Group 1 wins in a single season. Sent out a dominant $1.95 favourite, according to smh.com.au, the towering 7YO mare overcame a sluggish start from gate one to deliver a devastating finishing sprint at Randwick, showcasing the brilliance that has become her trademark. "She just keeps turning up every week, I'd like to have a few more like her," said trainer Chris Waller, who was full of praise for the entire team behind the mare. "And we have, we've got a great team, but she just shows the difference between a good horse and a champion." Even in the run, Waller admitted to nerves. "I'm thinking that we were saving ground, it was an economical run, we had the right man aboard." McDonald's measured approach, he said, was key: "James has continued to mature and not panic, that's the key to winning these big races. The big jockeys win them all the time." Waller described Via Sistina as a daunting presence at home, saying, "We're still getting to know her," he added. "It's scary, really, how good she is." McDonald admitted he had a brief moment of doubt mid-race. "She felt like she was going to rip away and then at the furlong, she's just doing enough," he said. "There was one little worrying moment, I thought the one I was following was going to kick for a gap and he just didn't go for it and I ended up back off him, but she was superior." As for what's next, Waller deferred to the mare's owner, Yulong's Yuesheng Zhang, suggesting a Gr1 Cox Plate title defence remains on the spring agenda. But for now, Via Sistina's place in the history books is secure, right alongside Winx.