If we needed a lesson as to why the Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been so amazingly successful we got it in the $750,000 Group I VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington where the Chris Waller trained NH bred stablemates Via Sistina (IRE) and Buckaroo (IRE) went to the line locked together.
Both Group I winners already in Australia this season, Via winning the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and Bucky winning the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield, they knuckled down for a titanic battle with the mare sticking out her enormous head for Damian Lane to win on the line.
"We were confident that she would bounce back today, and she was tough," said assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth.
"Buckaroo is the man on the scene at the moment and he was going for three wins in a row. He's dug deep and only been narrowly denied.
"It's so fantastic for the whole team and for her to perform like that, it's pretty special for everyone involved with her, fantastic for Yulong because they really stump up every time and they've got an absolute diamond."
Via Sistina remains in contention for the Group I MRC Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 19 and the Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 5 for which she is now topweight with 56kg for both races, although the Group I MVRC Cox Plate (2040m) on October 26 appears the likely next target.
Via Sistina is a fascinating horse as she is the original ugly duckling that grew into a swan.
Her original owners Stephen and Becky Hillen purchased her as a yearling for 5,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Sale and they were over the moon when she sold at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year fetching 2.7million guineas to the bid of of Yulong be the second highest priced mare at the sale.
Via Sistina has the overall record of eight wins and six placings from 17 starts and is the best of four winners from Nigh, an unraced half-sister by Galileo to dual Group I winning sprinter Kingsgate Native.
Her sire Fastnet Rock is now enjoying a well earned retirement at Coolmore Australia and his place on the roster has been taken by his promising young son Acrobat.
The Fastnrt Rock x Galileo nick that has produced both Via Sistina and Buckaroo has produced 29 SW’s – 11 G1 winners - from 158 starters so has over 18% SW to runner.
