Via Sistina's Flawless Victory at Flemington
The Flemington carnival concluded in spectacular fashion on Saturday, with the brilliant mare Via Sistina adding a magnificent 12th Group 1 victory to her already impressive record. The short-priced favourite lived up to every expectation, delivering a dominant performance in the featured Champions Stakes that left her rivals in the dust.
Once star jockey James McDonald guided his mount into clear running room, the result was never in doubt. Via Sistina cruised to a comfortable victory, showcasing her superior class and power as she strode to the line ahead of Zambardo and Tom Kitten.
Thrilling Finishes in Other Group 1 Features
The day was packed with top-tier racing action. The Group 1 Champions Mile provided a major upset when Ceolwulf edged out Pericles in a dramatic photo finish. The much-anticipated showdown between Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside failed to materialise, with both favourites fading badly and finishing well out of the money. Stefi Magnetica ran a strong race to secure third place.
Meanwhile, the Group 1 Champions Sprint was an instant classic, described by many as a race for the ages. The excitement began even before the start when the second favourite, Tentyris, was scratched due to a barrier issue.
The race itself became a thrilling duel between two exceptional sprinters. Giga Kick and Magic Time burst clear of the field, setting up a barnstorming finish where they went head-to-head down the Flemington straight. In a gripping contest, it was Giga Kick who emerged victorious at the final post.
Zahra and Douglas Celebrate a Memorable Week
For jockey Mark Zahra, it was a perfect end to an incredible Melbourne Cup week. Guiding Giga Kick to victory marked his eighth winner for the carnival and his third at Group 1 level. An elated Zahra praised his horse's fighting spirit, saying, "It's so good to see him back. We were all hugged up on the outside there and it looked like Magic Time was going to hold me, but his last 50 (metres), he had a proper crack the old boy and got his head out at the right time." He added, "It's been a massive week and hopefully there's a nice bottle of champagne there for me now."
Trainer Clayton Douglas was filled with gratitude for the now three-time Group 1 winner, a horse who famously won The Everest as a three-year-old in 2022. "Happy days. He's a champ this horse and I love him," Douglas said. "He's done so much for my career and he's taken me everywhere with Group 1 wins in Sydney and Queensland. It's his third go at this race. He hasn't had a lot of luck in other years and it worked out perfect today. I was a little concerned with how the weather was, but I thought he would get through the conditions, and he prevailed."
