The Group 1 $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley has been won in stunning fashion by the champion mare Via Sistina who handed Chris Waller his fifth win with an eight-length demolition job.
Jockey James McDonald was all smiles taking out Australia’s best race for the third straight year on a third separate horse to celebrate his impressive 100th career Group 1 in the 104th running of the Cox Plate.
McDonald became the first hoop since Brent Thompson in 1977, 1978 and 1979 to win the Cox Plate on three consecutive years on three different champions following his 2022 win on Anamoe and the 2023 victory last year on Hong Kong raider Romantic Warrior.
After he got there by a nose last year the huge eight length Cox Plate winning margin in 2024 was something new for McDonald.
“Just so lucky. What this mare’s been through, and she’s just an absolute star. I’m so lucky to be part of it,” McDonald told Racing.com.
“I honestly can’t believe it. I love this race. I love this place. And to win a Cox Plate with Chris Waller, who is my greatest supporter and so special.
“It’s so fitting he’s brought up my 100th and to do it in such a prestigious race like the Cox Plate. I’m blessed, so blessed.”
Japanese raider Prognosis jumped favourite and after travelling second in the run throughout in a speed map few predicted to hold on for a distant second, while Godolphin colt Broadsiding got up for third to complete the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate trifecta.
No one could have imagined Via Sistina saluting by such an emphatic margin after the Fastnet Rock mare’s Tuesday morning mishap when getting caught up in a bandage to throw McDonald from the saddle and complete three riderless laps of Moonee Valley.
Waller told fans he would not run the mare unless she was 100% fit, and she proved to be that and more with a Cox Plate win for the ages!
“It was a big week but I’ve just had full support from the owners, my staff, all the team, Moonee Valley. It’s just been overwhelming,” he said.
“There’s not been any negativity, only positive vibes. I’ m so proud of her, so proud of her.
“There’s probably 10 key factors, and it’s not anything else except common sense, simple as that.
“We never lost faith and just followed our instincts.”
The expected front runner, Pride Of Jenni, took her time to roll around four wide and lead by the bottom corner with 1300m left to travel.
The well-backed Prognosis kept her honest sitting second before closing the gap moving up to challenge at the 600m.
Pride Of Jenni was gone with 300m left to go, grabbed by Prognosis around the turn.
From there however all eyes quickly went to Waller’s last start Turnbull Stakes winner with Via Sistina quickly hitting the lead before storming away to the roar of the crowd at the cauldron.
“She’s got an unbelievable sustained speed. And I think it’s a huge asset to have in this high-pressure race,” McDonald added.
“The pressure was on from the get-go, and (Pride Of) Jenni didn’t have her peace. This horse has really worked really well here, even though I fell off her on Tuesday.
“She felt like she was gliding around the course really well and I had a quiet first half, and I wheeled her out, kept her happy.
“She seems just to grow a bit of confidence, and it was a Winx like performance. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it.”
For Waller it was an incredible return to Cox Plate winning form as he took out the silverware in the Australasian weight-for-age championship for the first time since his historic four-peat with Winx from 2015-18.
He joined the great Bart Cummings with five Cox Plate victories to sit third overall behind TJ Smith (7) and Jack Holt (6).
Via Sistina, now a five-time Group 1 winner, set a new Cox Plate record winning in a slick 2 minutes 01.07 seconds to surpass the previous record of 2:02.94 set by Winx (2017).
She became the 15th mare and the first since the Japanese raider Lys Gracieux (2019) to beat home the boys in the time-honoured classic.
Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
7. Via Sistina (4)
J: James McDonald 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
2nd
2. Prognosis (5)
J: Damian Lane 59kg
T: Mitsumasa Nakauchida |
||
|
3rd
8. Broadsiding (8)
J: Jamie Kah 49.5kg
T: James Cummings |
||
|
4th
1. Mr Brightside (2)
J: Craig Williams 59kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
||
|
5th
5. Docklands (1)
J: Blake Shinn 59kg
T: Harry Eustace |
||
|
6th
3. Kovalica (9)
J: Mark Zahra 59kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
7th
4. Royal Patronage (3)
J: Michael Dee 59kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
||
|
8th
6. Pride Of Jenni (7)
J: Declan Bates 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
|
9th
9. Evaporate (6)
J: Karis Teetan 49.5kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
Data retrieved: 26/10/2024 11:07 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
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Race comments
The Group 1 Cox Plate. Outstanding race, as usual. PROGNOSIS (2) is a top-line Japanese horse who looks to emulate his compatriot Lys Gracieux who won this race in 2019. PROGNOSIS has been unlucky behind last year's winner Romantic Warrior a few times at Group 1 level in Hong Kong, often through his own manners, but if D Lane gets it right, he'll relish a fast tempo and quick ground. PRIDE OF JENNI (6) is fascinating, as she is every time she runs. Beaten last week in the King Charles, the rise in trip now suits, The Valley suits, it could set up for fireworks early. MR BRIGHTSIDE (1) is a marvel. Beaten a nose by Romantic Warrior last year, he's going as well and loves racing here. VIA SISTINA (7) was excellent winning the Turnbull and has started favourite over Jenni both times they've met. No knocks whatsoever. BROADSIDING (8) needs to bounce back from the Guineas, but he's a top-class colt and they usually do very well here.