Chris Waller will unleash both the established star Via Sistina and emerging talent Aeliana in the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, with the master trainer suggesting his Derby-winning filly could be the heir to her stablemate’s throne.
Via Sistina, last year’s Cox Plate heroine, is the $2.30 favourite to defend her Winx Stakes crown, while Aeliana, at $7.50, takes her first step into open company after a standout three-year-old campaign highlighted by her dominant ATC Derby success.
“She is the unknown,” Waller said of Aeliana.
“I think she will measure up being a multiple Group One winner. She has won a Derby, been placed behind the best horses in her three-year-old year when she hasn’t won.
“It is pretty exciting with her. She is probably next year’s queen if she keeps making the rapid rise like she has done.”
Aeliana showcased versatility earlier this year when finishing second to Broadsiding in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) before stretching out to 2400m to crush the colts in the Derby. Waller acknowledged the challenge is keeping her sharp against older rivals.
The track conditions could also prove pivotal. Randwick is tipped to be a heavy 10, with Aeliana yet to face such ground. Via Sistina, meanwhile, finished only fifth in last year’s Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on heavy footing, her only unplaced run in Australia.
Waller downplayed that blemish, pointing to her strong European record in the wet.
“It’s hard to compare tracks but the one thing I don’t think she likes is a shifty track and that’s what she got in the Makybe Diva last year,” Waller said.
“It rained an hour before the race, it actually hailed, and it was a firm base and it was quite shifty. She didn’t like it.
“But when she is getting into the ground, which is where her English form comes in, I think she is pretty good.”
Lindermann, Fangirl and Full Count Felicia round out Waller’s five-pronged assault on the first Group 1 of the season.
Punters keen to back Via Sistina or rising star Aeliana in the Winx Stakes can find the latest odds at leading Australian betting sites.