Via Sistina Dominates Champions Stakes with 12th Group 1 Win
Via Sistina secured an impressive 12th Group 1 victory with a commanding performance in the Champions Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. The short-priced favourite cruised comfortably to the finish ahead of Zambardo and Tom Kitten, showcasing clear superiority in the final feature race of the Flemington carnival.
Once star jockey James McDonald found open space, Via Sistina’s victory was inevitable as she powered impressively to the line.
Highlights from the Champions Mile
In the Group 1 Champions Mile, Ceolwulf narrowly defeated Pericles in a thrilling photo finish. The race, anticipated as a clash between Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside, instead saw Ceolwulf emerge victorious.
- Pride Of Jenni took the early lead but faded to finish well behind.
- Mr Brightside never contended for the win.
- Stefi Magnetica ran strongly to finish in third place.
Group 1 Champions Sprint Thriller
The Group 1 Champions Sprint unfolded as a memorable race, with Giga Kick holding off a late surge from Magic Time in a thrilling finish.
“Once star jockey James McDonald got his mount out into space, there was only ever going to be one winner.”
Summary: Via Sistina’s commanding win highlighted the Flemington carnival, complemented by close finishes and standout performances in the Champions Mile and Sprint events.