Via Sistina defies track work scare as James McDonald claims his third consecutive Cox Plate: ‘It was a Winx-like performance’

Champion jockey James McDonald claimed his third consecutive Cox Plate with a dominant victory aboard Via Sistina at Moonee Valley.

It was McDonald’s 100th win in Group 1, and follows wins over Romantic Warrior and Anamoe in the last two years.

Trainer Chris Waller broke down in tears after the race, having won the Australasian weight-for-age championship for the fifth time following his four wins with the supermare Winx.

Via Sistina also broke the record in its eight-body demolition job, recording a time of 2.01.07.

“It’s the stuff of legends,” said Channel 7’s Bruce McAvaney.

‘This was like Winx, it doesn’t get any better than this… it’s just extraordinary.

“That’s the best there is.”

Japanese raider and pre-race favorite Prognosis was second, with Godolphin’s Broadsiding third.

It comes after Via Sistina was previously involved in a track scare and McDonald feared his 2024 Cox Plate hopes had been dashed.

“I thought we were doomed,” McDonald said.

“If looks could tell a story, we would be full.”

Champion jockey waves to the crowd at Mooney Valley for the 2024 Cox Plate

The jockey also cried after the race after achieving what he previously thought might be impossible.

‘I’m very lucky. What this mare has been through and she is just an absolute star. “I’m very lucky to be a part of this,” McDonald said.

‘I love this race, I love this place. Winning a Cox Plate with Chris Waller, who is my biggest supporter, is special.

‘I am blessed. Very blessed. It was a performance similar to that of Winx. I can’t believe it.’

Earlier, Ben Allen rode Baraqiel to a dominant victory in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes.

Trainer Troy Corstens said Baraqiel will head into the Group 1 Champions Sprint, which will be run on the final day of the Flemington Melbourne Cup carnival in a fortnight.

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