In a fitting, heart-stopping finish to the final Ladbrokes Cox Plate run at the The Valley track as we know it, Chris Waller’s reigning queen Via Sistina etched her name further into racing history. The mighty mare dug deep to hold off her stablemate Buckaroo in a thrilling half-head finish to the 105th edition of the Australasian weight-for-age classic.

2025 Cox Plate winner Via Sistina just edged out stablemate Buckaroo to go back-to-back. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

She may have won last year’s race by a dominant eight lengths, but this year the now eight-year-old Fasnet Rock mare and reigning Australian Racehorse of the Year had to pull out all the stops.

Via Sistina narrowly saluted for the punters to go back-to-back in the Group 1 $6 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m), closing the final Moonee Valley race card before the track shuts for major redevelopment.

While her form hasn’t been as scintillating this spring, Via Sistina proved her sheer class, just nudging out the fellow Waller runner Buckaroo, who ran a devastatingly close second in front of a roaring crowd.

Waller was immense praise for his champion.

“I know she hasn’t won her last two runs, but all the data suggests she’s flying and once they set those benchmarks, providing the horse is healthy and well, you know they’re going to get somewhere close to it,” he told Racing.com.

“There’s been a few of those ‘don’t panic, don’t change anything, don’t think about anything’ (moments); let the horses do the talking.

“She had a lovely run. Attrition (who eventually ran fourth), I thought, was the winner at the 200 (metre mark).

“She had to dig deep. I know she can and she did.”

The Cox Plate trifecta was completed by Matt Laurie’s outstanding young four-year-old mare, the VRC Oaks – Australian Oaks double winner Treasurethe Moment, who claimed third.

Jockey Damian Lane was proud of the mare’s effort.

“She was super,” he said of Treasurethe Moment.

“Very proud of the horse, proud of Matty and his team for getting her back to where she is today.

“Just unfortunately Nepotism was put into the race early and forced my hand, I had to ask for her a bit earlier than what was ideal and she obviously put a good margin on them on the corner, but that early move had a toll late, so she did a great job.”

McDonald Equals Bowman’s Record

Via Sistina, again partnered by master hoop James McDonald, found herself worse than midfield and was forced to race wide around the turn.

She showed her trademark determination, chasing down Treasurethe Moment, who had taken the lead at the 400m mark.

Buckaroo then loomed large in the final strides, but Via Sistina held on by a half-head to become the first dual champion since the four-peat of Winx (2016-18).

“It was a great race,” an emotional Waller told Channel 7 post-race.

“A classic Cox Plate.

“James had to get going early and everyone could see him.

“He was five wide turning for home.

“She was great and Treasurethe Moment was awesome and gave it something to chase.

“And Buckaroo that was… I’m glad Via won and Buckaroo, he’s run out of his skin.”

Buckaroo’s jockey Mark Zahra acknowledged the gutsy run by his horse as well as the Cox Plate winning mare’s fighting spirit.

“He was courageous, followed the winner everywhere but I just never got in front at any stage,” Zahra said.

“She just finds a head the minute you come up to her. She’s a good mare but he ran well.”

The result saw Waller win for the sixth time while McDonald raised the Cox Plate silverware for the fourth time in his glittering career, equalling Hugh Bowman’s record set with Winx.

“First one was special, these are bonuses,” Waller said of adding to his Cox Plate trophy collection.

Waller then described the unique relationship between his mare and McDonald.

“It’s confidence. James works months on this,” he said.

“He’s loyal, so dedicated.

“He’s only had eyes for Via Sistina and set everything at this race for her and Buckaroo almost undid it!”

The victory capped a remarkable spring for Via Sistina, who now joins the likes of Winx, Flight, and Sunline as mares to win multiple Cox Plates.

McDonald went on to reflect on the historical significance of the win at the track’s current configuration.

“It was a sensational feeling. It was funny because she began well. I thought, ‘this is beautiful’. I thought I was in a great spot,” McDonald said describing the ride.

“Zac Lloyd (on Nepotism) was jostling for a position. Came back, she raced a little bit keen for a bit but her incredible will to win shone through there and she’s a champion racehorse.

“I’m so proud of her. She deserved to be in the same breath as Sunline and those sort of horses with two Cox Plates.

“You know what? I’m just rapt that it was a proper run Cox Plate. That’s what Cox Plates are all about. Best horse shone through, and she deserves all she gets.

“It’s going to be sad next year (not at Moonee Valley) but in saying that the Cox Plate is still on and it is going to be run and won.

“I just hope I’m on as good a mare as I was today to ride in the race next year.

“Just so many sentimental things. Last Valley under this circumference, four-in-a-row, three champion racehorses. God I’m blessed. I’m so lucky.

“I’m proud of everyone that’s helped me out along the way.”

Carnival Markets React

Via Sistina’s win solidifies her status as one of the modern greats of Australian racing.

While the Group 1 $10 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) has been ruled out, she is likely to defend her title in the Group 1 $3 million Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 8, where she is now $1.70 odds-on favourite in futures betting at Ladbrokes.

Her stablemate Buckaroo, however, is still on track for the two-mile classic, firming in from $26 to $11 in the latest Melbourne Cup 2025 odds on the back of his courageous Cox Plate effort.

2025 Cox Plate Results & Finishing Order

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