J-Mac pulled the wrong rein in last year’s Winx Stakes. Has he got it right this time?
By Craig Kerry
A year ago, premier jockey James McDonald opted to ride the “sharper” Fangirl over stablemate Via Sistina in the Winx Stakes when they clashed first-up over 1400m at Randwick.
The luck in running went against McDonald and Fangirl as they flashed home out wide for a half-length third behind Via Sistina, which was gifted an economical run under Kerrin McEvoy for a narrow win.
James McDonald and Via Sistina cruise to victory in the group 1 Ranvet Stakes on March 22 at Rosehill.Credit: Getty Images
Although McDonald fears Fangirl could be the sharper prospect first-up over 1400m on Saturday, like she was when winning the Apollo Stakes in the autumn, he feels he owes Via Sistina after their amazing 2024-25 season.
The combination, which went on to win five group 1s together last season, link again in the first group 1 of the new campaign. Via Sistina was a $2.30 Sportsbet favourite from gate one, while Fangirl, with McEvoy aboard, was $7 from barrier five.
“We swapped around this year, and hopefully, it’s the right decision,” McDonald said.
“But she’s been a great horse to me, and she was great last prep. Hopefully, she can kick it off.
James McDonald on Via Sistina after their Queen Elizabeth Stakes win in April at Randwick.Credit: Getty Images
“I thought [Fangirl] was sharper [last year] and she’s probably sharper here, but Via’s been a good horse and I won five group 1s on her last season. She’s ready to rock and roll.”
Both stars face the challenge of a heavy track after Randwick copped more than 170mm of rain this week. Waller believes Via Sistina will handle the going, without raceday showers, despite her failing at her only attempt on a heavy track in Australia. Fangirl has not placed in five runs on heavy.
Waller also believes Via Sistina has come back as well as ever for her eight-year-old campaign, and McDonald agreed.
“She seems that way,” he said.
“She’s definitely holding her condition well. She seems good.”
McDonald also has the ride on unbeaten Waller mare Autumn Glow after connections opted for the Toy Show Quality (1100m) at 55 kilograms, rather than the Show County Quality (1200m) at 53kg. A $1.80 favourite, she has won all four starts in a career restricted by injury and illness.
“At 1100, she will be just sharp enough for that,” McDonald said.
“She’s trialled well, and she has a good base under her, so she should be ready for the track conditions. It’s a good starting point.”
He was also excited about a new opportunity, on Gary Portelli-trained Queen Of Clubs ($12) in the group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m). The filly, which McDonald rode in a heavy track trial two weeks ago, was an impressive maiden winner on a Rosehill Saturday card in June.
“She gave me a terrific feel in the trials, and Gary is really happy with her,” he said.
“I reckon she’s got a lot of class this horse. She looks good and is by Maurice, so obviously the six furlongs might be a bit short for her, but she’s a smokey in that.”
Meanwhile, Australian Turf Club racecourses general manager Michael Wood hoped drainage work in preparation for this week’s wet weather would pay off on Saturday.
Wood said Randwick had received 9.4mm between an early morning inspection and another about 3pm on Friday. He was encouraged by a mostly clear forecast for Saturday.
“Fingers crossed. We’ll press on to the morning and have another look at it,” Wood said.
“The track still walks really well, we haven’t seen any surface water, and we know it will improve given some time.”
He said the club aerated the track last weekend and sprayed a penetrating wetting agent on Monday to improve drainage.
Berry likes set-up for Gringotts
Jockey Tommy Berry believes the Winx Stakes sets up better for Gringotts than most of his rivals on Saturday at Randwick.
The Ciaron Maher-trained six-year-old has gained good support this week and was a $5.50 second favourite behind Via Sistina for the season’s first group 1, despite never racing on heavy ground.
Tommy Berry riding Gringotts to victory in the $1 million The Gong last November.Credit: Getty Images
Berry believed Gringotts, with three wins and a second across four soft runs, would handle the track first-up.
“I just think it’s because the race sets up well for him,” Berry said.
“It’s right in his sweet spot at 1400, and there are other good chances in the race who are going to be better suited when they get over a bit further.
Tommy Berry after winning on Gringotts in March.Credit: Getty Images
“You look at a horse like Via Sistina and the only chink I could find in her armour is the wet ground. She’s had that one really wet run in Melbourne, and it was the only blemish on her record.
“Even though he hasn’t been on heavy ground, he’s trialled really well on it, he’s won quite well on soft, and it probably maps really well for him as well.
“He’s got natural gate speed, if we want to use it, so he ticks a lot of boxes for the weekend.”
As for the draw in 10, he said: “I’m tipping being on a heavy 10, you’d rather draw out than in, and he’s got speed to put himself where he wants.
“We’ve got Robusto drawn directly to our inside, and he’s the natural leader, so we should be able to follow it across.”
Berry has enjoyed a stellar ride with Gringotts over the past 11 months, winning the $3 million Big Dance, $1 million The Gong and the group 1 George Ryder Stakes.
“They always thought it would get to the heights he has; they’ve just placed him well to get there and taken their time with him,” he said.
“This prep we are going to see if he’s made that improvement again to make a proper weight-for-age horse. He looks and feels like he’s come back better and stronger and the team are more pleased with him than they were last prep.
“Saturday won’t be a great indication, on a heavy track, but it’s not a bad start-off point.”