Chris Waller hopes the decision to bypass the Melbourne Cup with Via Sistina will be vindicated in another Group 1 success at Flemington.
The Champions Stakes (2000m) on Saturday will see Via Sistina line up with stablemate Atishu against another 10 opponents.
Waller said the decision to miss the Melbourne Cup following Via Sistina’s record-breaking win in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley was a difficult decision for all involved.
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“We were very close to running and we were very tempted but there were so many aspects to suggest that we shouldn’t,” Waller said.
“You’ve got to draw a line somewhere and there were enough negatives to suggest that whilst she’s become the world’s highest-rated horse over 2000m, how dare we try to run over 3200m which is another extra third of the distance.
“She probably gets 2400m, she probably gets 3000m but that last 200m is what counts in the Melbourne Cup.”
Waller said he had the full support of the ownership team in bypassing the Cup, but racegoers will get the opportunity to see the mare in action again on Saturday.
The champion trainer is certainly not expecting another eight-length victory, he will be happy just to see her successful again.
“Via Sistina has come through her Cox Plate win very well, she’s gone to a new level in terms of running a track record at the Valley in such a time honoured race,” Waller said.
“I thought it may have come at a cost, but it hasn’t.
“I wouldn’t say she’s improved but she hasn’t gone backwards and if she can hold her own, the team are telling me she’s ready to do another great performance on Saturday.”
While Via Sistina is favoured to win on Saturday — she is the current $1.70 top elect — Waller is not discounting the chances of Atishu.
Atishu won the Champions Stakes last year and finally broke through for her first win in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) last Saturday.
“Atishu has got a great record of backing up in seven days,” Waller said.
“The first run they go in a little bit underdone, and she won the race in the final few strides.
“She’s come through it well. She spent the first couple of days of the week at the bench and it’s just perfect weather for horses at the moment, they’re not having to be rugged up and they’re getting plenty of sun on their backs.
“We are confident that she’ll back up well and race accordingly.”
