- Via Sistina won Group 1 race after thrilling finish
- Champion mare also won the Cox Plate last year
- Sixth Cox Plate triumph for trainer Chris Waller
It was going to take a very special run to defeat raging favourite Via Sistina in the Cox Plate – and Buckaroo almost silenced the capacity crowd at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Trainer Chris Waller was elated after his champion mare won a thrilling finish in the Group 1 weight-for-age race over 2040 metres, but was quick to praise the gallant run of the former Irish gelding, who is also in his stable.
‘It was a great race, a classic Cox Plate,’ an emotional Waller said post-race.
‘(Jockey) James McDonald got going early… he works months out (for this race) and got his reward.’
In saluting by the narrowest of margins over Buckaroo, McDonald created his own slice of Australian racing history.
Arguably the world’s best hoop, McDonald has now won the Cox Plate dating back to 2022 – and on three horses.
It was going to take a special run to defeat Via Sistina (pictured right) in the Cox Plate – and Buckaroo almost silenced the capacity crowd at Moonee Valley on Saturday
Via Sistina started well, and then jockey James McDonald timed his run to the winning post with perfection (pictured, in green)
Trainer Chris Waller has now won the Cox Plate six times, while James McDonald has been the triumphant jockey in the Group 1 race dating back to 2022
In doing so, he joins Hugh Bowman, who also achieved the feat when riding the mighty Winx.
The Kiwi star said he was ‘relieved’ to be first past the winning post – and praised masterful trainer Waller.
‘She was trained to the minute,’ McDonald told Channel Seven.
‘It wasn’t as convincing as last year (Via Sistina won by seven lengths), but the result is the same.
‘Chris (Waller) is a genius, I can’t thank his team enough.’
Waller has now won the Cox Plate six times in his decorated training career.
Meanwhile, a TAB punter has collected a whopping $240,000 from a $2500 outlay after Via Sistina’s triumph.
The three-leg multi saw Metaphorically win at Royal Randwick last December at $6.00, into Ka Ying Rising winning the Everest at $4.00.
Via Sistina then provided some nervous moments before snaring the Cox Plate with $4.00 odds.
