Chris Waller‘s dominance continued at Rosehill in the 2025 Ranvet Stakes, with his exceptional mare, Via Sistina, securing victory and edging closer to Winx’s seasonal Group 1 record, defeating stablemate Lindermann.
Via Sistina was too good saluting as the odds-on favourite in Saturday’s Ranvet Stakes 2025. Photo: © 2025 – Bradley Photos.
The Ladbrokes Cox Plate champion added another elite-level win to her impressive record in the $1 million Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) on Golden Slipper Day.
Via Sistina, who won her Australian debut in the Ranvet last year, made history by becoming the first horse to win the race in consecutive years since Theseo (2009 & 2010).
“Well, she lit up our lives, as I said, 12 months ago today,” Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“We didn’t know what we had coming out of quarantine and obviously we had a good article and a good horse to work with. And a very supporting team with Yulong, we were lucky enough to get some support from them.”
Following her Verry Elleegant Stakes victory, Via Sistina secured a 1.53-length win in the Ranvet.
“She is a star,” declared Waller. “She’s a lovely, big, unassuming horse. But come race day, she really turns it on. We don’t dare light her up in the mornings because what she’s capable of, like she’s a real powerhouse. Her track rider, Chris Harwood, said, oh, if we get her flying like one day she might just keep going as we saw. So, yeah, she’s a gentle giant that graces the turf.”
With six Group 1 wins this season, Via Sistina is just one win away from Winx’s record. James McDonald, who rode the mare, positioned her perfectly for the win.
Fawkner Park completed the Ranvet Stakes trifecta, finishing third having come from last to run in the money.
McDonald settled Via Sistina in fourth and then moved three wide around the final bend. Via Sistina pulled away to win without being challenged over the final 200m in another stylish performance by the star seven-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock.
The mare is now aimed at the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes over the same distance at Randwick on April 12, where she will try to improve on last year’s second-place finish when 6.5 lengths beaten by tearaway champion Pride Of Jenni.
“Via Sistina has firmed into $1.70 in the latest all-in 2025 Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds online at Ladbrokes,” a betting expert from Races.com.au noted.
2025 Ranvet Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | VIA SISTINA (IRE) | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1 | 57kg | $1.22F | |||
| 2 | 3 | LINDERMANN | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 1.53L | 6 | 59kg | $11 | ||
| 3 | 2 | FAWKNER PARK (IRE) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Tyler Schiller | 2.09L | 4 | 59kg | $15 | ||
| 4 | 7 | FULL COUNT FELICIA (USA) | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 5.1L | 2 | 57kg | $15 | ||
| 5 | 5 | GOLDEN PATH (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Chad Schofield | 8L | 3 | 59kg | $31 | ||
| 6 | 4 | AL MUBHIR (GB) | William Haggas | Tom Marquand | 11.16L | 5 | 59kg | $13 | ||
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.
CHANCES ARE YOU’RE ABOUT TO LOSE.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
