Via Sistina, the unbackable favourite to win Horse of the Year honours, headlines a galaxy of equine stars set to barrier trial at Royal Randwick on Thursday.

Sydney’s big wet forced the scheduled Tuesday trials session to be delayed 48 hours with trainer Chris Waller’s champion mare Via Sistina and her outstanding stablemate Fangirl clashing in the opening heat over 1000m against the likes of Another Wil, Light Infantry Man and Vauban.

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Waller is not concerned about the delay to the barrier trial session as it is more important the carnival horses compete on improving track conditions.

“We are well ahead of schedule,’’ Waller explained.

“Most of our horses have had their first trial and they are not racing until August 23 so we have some time up our sleeves.

“We will sit tight and whenever the weather improves we will be ready to go.’’

Waller said Via Sistina and Fangirl are experienced mares and “just find their groove” when they return to training with both on target for a comeback in the Group 1 $1m Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on August 23.

The Hall of Fame trainer is also using Thursday’s trials to give his trio of top class four-year-old mares Lady Shenandoah, Aeliana and Autumn Glow a chance to stretch their legs.

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Via Sistina, Fangirl, Lady Shenandoah, Aeliana and Autumn Glow figure prominently among the finalists in various categories for the Australian Racehorse of the Year awards as revealed by Racing Queensland and Racing Australia on Monday.

The Horse of the Year awards ceremony, which will be held at The Star Brisbane on August 31, acknowledges results on domestic racecourses as well international performances by locally-trained horses during the 2024-25 season.

“Racing Queensland is honoured to host this year’s Australian Racehorse of the Year ceremony, celebrating the stars of our sport and their outstanding achievements over the last season,’’ RQ acting chief executive Lachlan Murray said.

“Similarly, it’s fitting that the gala luncheon will see both Black Caviar and Winx elevated to Legend status in the Hall of Fame, both of whom have strong ties to Queensland.’’

Via Sistina equalled all-time great Winx’s record of seven Group 1 wins in a season including the rare Cox Plate-Queen Elizabeth Stakes double and she is a lock for Horse of the Year and Champion Middle Distance awards.

But the other Horse of the Year distance and age group categories are anything but clear-cut.

For the Champion 2yo award, there is little separating Golden Slipper winner Marhoona, Group 1 winners Nepotism (Champagne Stakes), Vinrock (ATC Sires Produce Stakes), and Cool Archie (JJ Atkins), and Godolphin’s top filly Tempted.

Godolphin also has Broadsiding (Golden Rose, Rosehill Guineas) among the main chances for the Champion 3yo Colt and Gelding award which also includes unbeaten Private Harry (The Galaxy), Linebacker (Randwick Guineas), Switzerland (Coolmore Stud Stakes) and Goldrush Guru (VRC Derby).

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One of the most contentious awards will be for Champion 3yo Filly which has Aeliana (ATC Australian Derby), unbeaten Autumn Glow, multiple Group 1 placegetter Lady Of Camelot, Lady Shenandoah (Flight Stakes, Surround Stakes, Coolmore Classic) and Treasurethe Moment (VRC Oaks, ATC Australian Oaks, Vinery Stud Stakes) as finalists.

Similarly, Champion Sprinter is up for grabs with five elite Group 1 winners confirmed as finalists – Bella Nipotina (The Everest), Briasa (TJ Smith Stakes), Jimmysstar (Oakleigh Plate, All Aged Stakes), Joliestar (Newmarket Handicap, Kingsford Smith Cup), and Sunshine In Paris (Champions Sprint, Doomben 10,000).

The Champion Stayer title isn’t cut and dried either with Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice, Duke De Sessa (Caulfield Cup), Arapaho (Sydney Cup), English raider Dubai Honour (Tancred Stakes) and Godolphin’s consistent mare Zardozi competing for the honour.

Waller will be awarded the Champion Group 1 trainer for an extraordinary 13th successive season after he prepared an all-time record 19 big-race winners last season while jockey James McDonald has won his fifth consecutive title with 15 Australian major race wins.

2024/2025 AUSTRALIAN RACEHORSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

THE FINALISTS

Champion 2yo: Cool Archie, Marhoona, Vinrock, Nepotism, Tempted

Champion 3yo Filly: Aeliana, Autumn Glow, Lady Of Camelot, Lady Shenandoah, Treasurethe Moment

Champion 3yo Colt/Gelding: Broadsiding, Switzerland, Linebacker, Private Harry, Goldrush Guru

Champion Sprinter: Bella Nipotina, Briasa, Jimmysstar, Joliestar, Sunshine In Paris

Champion Middle Distance: Antino, Ceolwulf, Fangirl, Mr Brightside, Via Sistina

Champion Stayer: Arapaho, Dubai Honour, Duke De Sessa, Knight’s Choice, Zardozi

Champion Jumper: Affluential, Duke of Bedford, Loft, Stern Idol, The Cunning Fox

Group 1 Trainer Award: Chris Waller

Group 1 Jockey Award: James McDonald

Champion Sire: Zoustar

Originally published as Via Sistina headlines star-studded Randwick trials as Horse of the Year finalists revealed