Via Sistina successfully defended her crown in a thrilling renewal of the Cox Plate

The champion repeated her triumph in Moonee Valley’s showpiece event, prevailing in a dramatic finish over her stablemate Buckaroo. James McDonald captured his fourth consecutive Cox Plate victory in the process

Inside, Via Sistina put her head in front / MOONEE VALLEY

VICTORIA, Australia (Special for Turf Diario).- Moonee Valley said farewell to its old layout with a spectacle worthy of its storied history. In the final Cox Plate (G1)before the track’s redevelopment, the magnificent Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) once again proved she is a mare of another dimension, successfully defending her 2024 title after a breathtaking finish that left the crowd on its feet.

Unlike last year’s rout—when James McDonald stood high in the irons to celebrate an eight-length romp—this renewal demanded every ounce of determination and heart from the defending champion. The Yulong Investmentscolorbearer had to dig deep to repel the challenge of her stablemate Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock), also trained by Chris Waller, in a stirring stretch duel that will live long in Cox Plate lore.

The race had all the ingredients that make the Cox Plate the jewel of Australian racing: relentless pace, tactical intrigue, and a heart-stopping finish. Turning for home, Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express)—another runner for the Yulong empire—loomed dangerously, threatening an upset. But soon Via Sistina launched her trademark surge down the center of the course, eyes fixed on a crown never surrendered easily. Buckaroo ranged up beside her, and together they fought stride for stride in a duel that ignited the grandstands. Only in the final strides, with that last surge that separates champions from the rest, did Via Sistina put her head in front at the wire.

The victory extended McDonald’s extraordinary streak to four consecutive Cox Plate wins, following his successes aboard Anamoe (Street Boss), Romantic Warrior (Acclamation), and now twice with Via Sistina. For Chris Waller, it marked his sixth triumph in the great race, adding to his unforgettable run with the immortal Winx (Street Cry).

“I’m blessed to ride champion horses and be part of an amazing team,” said an emotional McDonald. “She broke well, traveled comfortably, and though she got a bit keen midrace, her will to win is second to none. She’s an absolute champion.”

The jockey also acknowledged the pressure of defending the crown: “I kept thinking about what Hugh Bowman must have felt with Winx—how did he do it year after year? It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe.”

A composed yet proud Waller reflected: “We knew she was flying, even though she hadn’t won her last two starts. The data told us everything. She just needed to be sound and happy. At the 200-meter mark, when I saw Attrition(Churchill) still in front, I thought it might slip away—but she gave everything. I knew she could do it, and she did.”

With this victory, Via Sistina not only reaffirmed her class but also secured a place among the modern greats of Australian turf, joining legends such as Sunline (Desert Sun) and Winx, the only other mares to capture two Cox Plates in the modern era.

Thus, amid emotion and nostalgia, Moonee Valley bid farewell to its old track watching its indomitable-hearted champion defend her crown—a perfect curtain call before the venue’s transformation, led by a mare now assured of her place in its eternal memory.