Aiming for a phenomenal seven Group 1 victories in a season, champion mare Via Sistina is an overwhelming favourite for Saturday’s (12 March) AU$5 million (approx. HK$24 million) G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
English raider Dubai Honour looms as the biggest challenger and has raced three times in Australia for three Group 1 victories, including his first-up triumph in the G1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill on 1 April.
The William Haggas-trained gelding, who finished second in last December’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin, claimed the G1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and then the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2023 before returning to Newmarket in Great Britain.
Via Sistina, Australia’s Horse of the Year-elect, completed her last campaign with three consecutive Group 1 victories and resumed with a third in the G2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) on 15 February and then strung together Group 1 victories at her next two starts.
Victory on Saturday will equal champion mare Winx’s record of seven of her 25 Group 1 victories achieved in a season. Chris Waller, who trains Via Sistina, also trained Winx during her extraordinary career.
Already with eight Group 1 victories, Via Sistina, who will be ridden by James McDonald, won her first at the highest level at 2011m in Ireland in 2023 before being sold to Australia.
Haggas’ assistant trainer Issy Paul isn’t underestimating the task Dubai Honour, who has drawn barrier 13 in the 15-horse field, faces as he attempts to win his fourth Australian Group 1.
“To win a fourth would be amazing and to do two and two would really round it off,” Paul said. “I think it would be a serious training performance if we managed to get this done.
“(Via Sistina) is obviously very, very good, and I would have preferred a draw that was slightly further in, but it is what it is. Obviously, not scared, but you are wary of them and respectful of them, and I just hope he can put his best foot forward.”
Trainer Joseph Pride is confident that Ceolwulf, who is a last start Group 2 winner over 2000m, will be at his peak for the feature race.
Japan’s Geoglyph, who was disappointing in his Australian debut in last Saturday’s G1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), has been joined by another Japanese runner in Saturday’s race, Rousham Park.
Leading Japanese rider, French-born Christophe Lemaire, flew into Sydney for the first time this week and is confident of Rousham Park’s chances in the entire’s first race since an unplaced run over 2500m in Japan last December.
“He’s a very consistent and genuine horse, he’s got a long acceleration,’’ the 45-year-old said.
“He’s more comfortable over a mile and a quarter (2000m) than a mile and a half (2400m). He travels very well. He’s not very quick out of the gates so he’ll usually race from middle of the pack or the back of the field. He grabs the bit and travels very easily and has that long acceleration.
“I think he can adapt himself anywhere. We have to be very confident with him.”
Ciaron Maher has two runners in Saturday’s race – long-shot Middle Earth and Light Infantry Man, a last start winner of the G1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on 29 March.
Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the stable was looking forward to the challenge with their main hope.
“He’s just kept building since last spring and we’re really happy with him,” he said.
Fawkner Park’s co-owner, Nathan Bennett said, they plan to take on Via Sistina.
“The last two runs, he’s matched her (Via Sistina) last 600 (sectionals) both times, but he’s been behind her, so we’ve got to take her on,” Bennett said. “We can’t just sit behind her and let her dictate to us because we aren’t going to go past her.”
