Via goes back to back

It was a contest befitting the final Cox Plate run on the unique track layout punters have come to adore.

Via Sistina made it back-to-back wins in the Weight-For-Age Championship of Australasia, narrowly defeating her stablemate Buckaroo to give Chris Waller a quinella in the race.

For champion jockey James McDonald, it marked his fourth consecutive Cox Plate triumph - following victories aboard Anamoe (2022), Romantic Warrior (2023) and Via Sistina (2024).

Via Sistina had to do it the hard way. McDonald was caught four wide coming down the side, but to the mare's credit she dug deep to hold off a late surge from Buckaroo, who peeled off her back on the home bend.

James McDonald said there was an element of "relief" in the win.

"I love this place (The Valley), I'm blessed to ride champion racehorses, blessed to be a part of a champion stable and she (Via Sistina) was trained to the minute."

"I can't thank the Waller team, everyone (enough), they're just exceptional horse people, they love their horses, Candice lives and breathes this horse, she deserves a lot of the credit.”

"Even though it wasn't seven lengths (as it was in 2024), I'm over the moon!"

Chris Waller said it was "a dream come true".

"It was a great race, a classic Cox Plate. James had to get going early, and everyone could see him going so he's five wide at the school, don't go before the school - that's what I'm thinking! She was great.”

"I'm glad Via won, but Buckaroo - he's a real stable favourite."

Waller, who has now won six Cox Plates, fought back tears as he paid tribute to his staff.

"Candice and Sebastian look after her (Via Sistina), they come down from Sydney. But while they are doing it, there's another 120 staff still doing their job - that's what I'm proud of."