Reigning Cox Plate back-to-back winner Via Sistina could anchor a Group 1 treble on Saturday at Flemington for champion trainer Chris Waller.
Waller opened the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival in style with a Group 3 winner but managed only two Group 1 placing and a Listed success since.
Waller has toasted Group 1 carnival glory every year since 2017. He collected three elite wins last year, including Via Sistina’s Champions Stakes.
Joliestar (Champions Sprint), Leica Lucy (Champions Mile) and Via Sistina lead the Waller charge on Saturday at Flemington.
Leica Lucy placed second to Pride Of Jenni, trained by Ciaron Maher, in last Saturday’s Group 1 Empire Rose.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
“We had a couple of winners, lots of placings, Melbourne Cup was a wipe-out for us, but they’ve all come home well and pulled up well,” Waller said.
“Just placing in Group 1 races, so ready to go one or two better on Saturday.”
Waller saddled five in the Cup but only River Of Stars (4th) finished in the top 15 of 24 starters.
Joliestar is a $3.20 second favourite for the Champions Sprint behind crack colt Tentyris, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman.
• Glen Boss’ Champions Day tips: ‘We could be seeing the next big thing’
Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni spearhead the Champions Mile market with Leica Lucy a $7.50 chance.
Via Sistina has a stranglehold on the Champions Stakes as $1.60 favourite.
Waller brushed off any wet track concerns for Via Sistina, who has actually improved since the Cox Plate.
“She’s very versatile, one day at Flemington she got beaten on a wet track but she’s won on a Heavy track since,” Waller said.
“She’s very fit on the back of a good win in the Cox Plate, we think we’ve seen a little bit of improvement in her since too with her condition.
“She’s just tightened up a little bit more and looks better for it … fast work Tuesday morning, we were pleased with that and she’s been flying ever since.”
• Brad Waters’ Flemington Saturday tips, analysis: $12 value bet
Waller said Joliestar should also handle the conditions.
“She’s pretty versatile on tracks as well, loves the straight, drawn in the middle so if they come up like an arrow she gets the perfect run,” Waller said.
Joliestar won first-up in Sydney then finished fifth in The Everest not run to suit.
“Everest wasn’t run as quick as we would’ve liked, therefore she was a little bit one paced,” Waller said.
“Hopefully she gets good speed on Saturday and she can finish over the top.”
Originally published as Champion trainer Chris Waller eyes Group 1 treble with Via Sistina, Leica Lucy and Joliestar at Flemington
