Via Sistina made 4-1 joint-favourite for Cox Plate after landing third Group 1 in Australia for Chris Waller

The former George Boughey-trained 2023 Pretty Polly winner Via Sistina claimed her third Australian Group 1 win on Saturday, storming home to edge out stablemate Buckaroo in a thrilling Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

Via Sistina, who was sold for 2.7 million guineas in December, underwhelmed as favourite in the Makybe Diva Stakes at the same track last month, but was back to her brilliant best in the Turnbull, getting the upper hand late under a perfect Damian Lane ride.

After settling about two-thirds back in the field, Lane used Sharp ’N’ Smart as a trail around the bend, and eased off that runner’s heels just as it started to peak on his run, leaving Via Sistina in the clear in the straight.

Buckaroo looked to be the one halfway up the straight, going past the winner and briefly hitting the front, but Via Sistina wasn’t done with, and dug in late on to score by a neck.

It was a very impressive effort given the last-start head-scratcher, but Chris Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said the team were far from panicked by the defeat, and knew they had a sound horse going into the Turnbull.

“She was fantastic. Her last start was so far away from her true form that you could do nothing else other than put a line through it,” he said.

“We were confident she would bounce back today, and she was tough. We didn't really panic because we knew it was so out of the ordinary.

“We did all the normal things with getting her checked out thoroughly to make sure that there is nothing amiss.

“But ultimately, we knew we had a happy and healthy horse leading into this and that was the difference. To perform like that, it's pretty special for everyone involved with her.”

It was a fifth Turnbull for Australian powerhouse trainer Chris Waller, who used victory in the Turnbull as the final prep for each of Winx's last two Cox Plate wins. Via Sistina is now a best-priced 4-1 joint-favourite for the race (from 9) with British bookmakers and as short as 7-2.

Read more . . .

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe tips: 'He could be special' - why this horse can win at Longchamp on Sunday 

2024 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp: the runners, the odds, the verdict 

Confirmed runners and riders for the 2024 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp - plus draw details, tip and free bet 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.