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.<\/p>\n
Sydney\u2019s big wet forced the scheduled Tuesday trials session to be delayed 48 hours with trainer Chris Waller<\/a>\u2019s champion mare Via Sistina<\/a> and her outstanding stablemate Fangirl<\/a> clashing in the opening heat over 1000m against the likes of Another Wil<\/a>, Light Infantry Man<\/a> and Vauban<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2022 PUNT LIKE A PRO<\/a>: Become a Racenet iQ member<\/a> and get expert tips \u2013 with fully transparent return on investment statistics \u2013 from Racenet\u2019s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips<\/a> section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are well ahead of schedule,\u2019\u2019 Waller explained.<\/p>\n \u201cMost of our horses have had their first trial and they are not racing until August 23 so we have some time up our sleeves.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will sit tight and whenever the weather improves we will be ready to go.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n Waller said Via Sistina and Fangirl are experienced mares and \u201cjust find their groove\u201d when they return to training with both on target for a comeback in the Group 1 $1m Winx Stakes (1400m)<\/a> at Royal Randwick on August 23.<\/p>\n The Hall of Fame trainer is also using Thursday\u2019s trials to give his trio of top class four-year-old mares Lady Shenandoah<\/a>, Aeliana<\/a> and Autumn Glow<\/a> a chance to stretch their legs.<\/p>\n \u2022 Mitch Cohen\u2019s Blackbook: Five to follow from Rosehill Gardens<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cRacing Queensland is honoured to host this year\u2019s Australian Racehorse of the Year ceremony, celebrating the stars of our sport and their outstanding achievements over the last season,\u2019\u2019 RQ acting chief executive Lachlan Murray said.<\/p>\n \u201cSimilarly, it\u2019s 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.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n Via Sistina equalled all-time great Winx\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n But the other Horse of the Year distance and age group categories are anything but clear-cut.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s top filly Tempted.<\/p>\n 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).<\/p>\n