In a shock development that has sent tremors through the racing world, superstar mare Via Sistina, recently hailed as the world’s top-ranked racehorse, has been sensationally withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup just days out from the iconic race.
The jaw-dropping announcement came on Wednesday morning, with Via Sistina’s owners Yulong Investments issuing a statement via social media confirming the mare would bypass ‘the race that stops a nation’ despite rocketing into favoritism after her scintillating Cox Plate triumph last Saturday.
Cox Plate Dominance Raises Hopes
Via Sistina had soared to the top of global rankings following her imperious record-breaking win in Australasia’s weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley. The Chris Waller-trained seven-year-old made a mockery of her rivals, cruising to an effortless victory that slashed her Melbourne Cup odds into clear favoritism.
Anticipation was building that Via Sistina could become the first mare since the mighty Makybe Diva in 2005 to snare Australian racing’s coveted Cups double – the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in the same year. However, those dreams are now dashed in the wake of her shock withdrawal.
‘Preserving’ a Champion
Via Sistina’s trainer Chris Waller had hinted in recent days that the mare’s welfare and future prospects would be paramount in determining a decision on the Melbourne Cup.
“She seems fine, but you never really know until a few more days or even in fact until they run, so we’re just trying to preserve her to ensure that (Cox Plate performance) wasn’t just a one-off,” Waller said on Tuesday.
“My job, as the coach, is to get her to win not just one race but many races and to advise the people that own the horse what’s in her best interest.”
While Via Sistina appeared to pull up well from her sparkling Cox Plate display, Waller and the mare’s high-profile owners have ultimately opted to err on the side of caution, deciding that backing up in Australia’s most famous staying test just 10 days later could jeopardize her glittering career and future race plans.
McDonald Loses Prized Cup Ride
The withdrawal also leaves Via Sistina’s regular rider James McDonald, who only days ago was celebrating his 100th Group 1 victory aboard the mare, without a mount in the Melbourne Cup.
The star New Zealand jockey had been licking his lips at the prospect of partnering the raging favorite in his quest to capture an elusive first Melbourne Cup triumph, but must now scramble to find a new ride if he is to take his place in the 24-horse field next Tuesday.
What’s Next for Via Sistina?
Via Sistina will instead be aimed at the Group 1 Champions Stakes over 2000 meters at Flemington on November 9, where she is already an odds-on favorite to extend her winning sequence. Connections have ruled out traveling overseas for a potential clash with last year’s Cox Plate victor Romantic Warrior in December’s Hong Kong Cup.
Purchased by Yulong for $5.5 million just last December, Via Sistina has already amassed over $6.7 million in prize money and stamped herself as one of the most valuable and exciting racehorses in the world. However, the Melbourne Cup will have to wait for another year.
Melbourne Cup Picture Suddenly Murky
Via Sistina’s bombshell withdrawal has thrown the Melbourne Cup picture wide open. With the seemingly invincible favorite out of the mix, a host of contenders will now fancy their chances of etching their name in history by winning Australia’s most iconic race.
From international raiders to local hopefuls, the race is suddenly an intriguing, wide-open affair. One certainty is the Melbourne Cup has been robbed of its brightest star, a mare whose breathtaking brilliance would have added an extra touch of magic to this year’s spectacle.
As the dust settles on Via Sistina’s shock announcement, the racing world must now quickly recalibrate and refocus. The Melbourne Cup will undoubtedly still captivate the nation, but the script has been dramatically rewritten. A new hero will be crowned at Flemington on that famous first Tuesday in November – but it won’t be the one we were all expecting.
Anticipation was building that Via Sistina could become the first mare since the mighty Makybe Diva in 2005 to snare Australian racing’s coveted Cups double – the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in the same year. However, those dreams are now dashed in the wake of her shock withdrawal.
‘Preserving’ a Champion
Via Sistina’s trainer Chris Waller had hinted in recent days that the mare’s welfare and future prospects would be paramount in determining a decision on the Melbourne Cup.
“She seems fine, but you never really know until a few more days or even in fact until they run, so we’re just trying to preserve her to ensure that (Cox Plate performance) wasn’t just a one-off,” Waller said on Tuesday.
“My job, as the coach, is to get her to win not just one race but many races and to advise the people that own the horse what’s in her best interest.”
While Via Sistina appeared to pull up well from her sparkling Cox Plate display, Waller and the mare’s high-profile owners have ultimately opted to err on the side of caution, deciding that backing up in Australia’s most famous staying test just 10 days later could jeopardize her glittering career and future race plans.
McDonald Loses Prized Cup Ride
The withdrawal also leaves Via Sistina’s regular rider James McDonald, who only days ago was celebrating his 100th Group 1 victory aboard the mare, without a mount in the Melbourne Cup.
The star New Zealand jockey had been licking his lips at the prospect of partnering the raging favorite in his quest to capture an elusive first Melbourne Cup triumph, but must now scramble to find a new ride if he is to take his place in the 24-horse field next Tuesday.
What’s Next for Via Sistina?
Via Sistina will instead be aimed at the Group 1 Champions Stakes over 2000 meters at Flemington on November 9, where she is already an odds-on favorite to extend her winning sequence. Connections have ruled out traveling overseas for a potential clash with last year’s Cox Plate victor Romantic Warrior in December’s Hong Kong Cup.
Purchased by Yulong for $5.5 million just last December, Via Sistina has already amassed over $6.7 million in prize money and stamped herself as one of the most valuable and exciting racehorses in the world. However, the Melbourne Cup will have to wait for another year.
Melbourne Cup Picture Suddenly Murky
Via Sistina’s bombshell withdrawal has thrown the Melbourne Cup picture wide open. With the seemingly invincible favorite out of the mix, a host of contenders will now fancy their chances of etching their name in history by winning Australia’s most iconic race.
From international raiders to local hopefuls, the race is suddenly an intriguing, wide-open affair. One certainty is the Melbourne Cup has been robbed of its brightest star, a mare whose breathtaking brilliance would have added an extra touch of magic to this year’s spectacle.
As the dust settles on Via Sistina’s shock announcement, the racing world must now quickly recalibrate and refocus. The Melbourne Cup will undoubtedly still captivate the nation, but the script has been dramatically rewritten. A new hero will be crowned at Flemington on that famous first Tuesday in November – but it won’t be the one we were all expecting.
