Via Sistina locks horns with Dubai Honour in bumper Queen Elizabeth Stakes
Dubai Honour (right) runs second to Giavellotto in December's Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m). Photo: Kenneth Chan
Aiming for a phenomenal seven Group One victories in a season, champion mare Via Sistina is an overwhelming favourite for Saturday's Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,000m) at Randwick in Sydney.
British raider Dubai Honour, who holds an entry for the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin later this month, looms as the biggest challenger.
He has raced three times in Australia for three Group One victories, including his first-up triumph in the Group One Tancred Stakes (2,400m) at Rosehill on April 1.
The William Haggas-trained gelding, who finished second in last December's Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) at Sha Tin, claimed the Group One Ranvet Stakes (2,000m) and then the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2023.
Via Sistina, Australia's Horse of the Year-elect, completed her last campaign with three consecutive Group One victories and resumed with a third in the Group Two Apollo Stakes (1,400m) on February 15 and then strung together Group One victories at her next two starts.
She's just the best!
Via Sistina makes it back-to-back Ranvet Stakes and notches up her 7th Australian G1 victory! ✌️@cwallerracing | @mcacajamez | @YulongInvest | @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/dqqaUCleXH — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 22, 2025
Victory on Saturday will equal champion mare Winx's record of seven of her 25 Group One victories achieved in one season. Chris Waller, who trains Via Sistina, also trained Winx during her extraordinary career.
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 One.
'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.'
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes is one of 10 races the Jockey Club is offering for betting from Randwick this Saturday.
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