Waller mares set for return bout at Flemington

Last year's Group 1 Crown Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) was run on a heavy track after rain and hail fell during the meeting at Flemington resulting in the race being run on a heavy track. 

A cloudy day with a forecast top of 18 degrees is forecast for Flemington on Saturday with the track already rated a Good 4. 

Last year's Makybe Diva resulted in Via Sistina finishing in fifth position behind Mr Brightside, the only time she has finished out of the placings in 12 Australian starts, that has also seen her collect nine Group 1 wins and Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year honours. 

Waller said Via Sistina had had the same preparation for the Makybe Diva as last year and expects the better track to play into her hands. 

"Last year there was a lot of hail, and I wouldn't expect that again," Waller said. 

"I remember seeing the track and it was covered in ice, and I think it might have even happened at the barriers, and she just never travelled. 

"We thought first-up (Winx Stakes), she doesn't like wet tracks because she didn't like the track at Flemington that day, but that wasn't the case at all. 

"It was very unusual circumstances last year." 

Waller pivoted late to take in the Makybe Diva Stakes after Treasurethe Moment, owned in the same interests as Via Sistina, was ruled out of the race on Monday following a colic attack. 

Instead of trialling on Tuesday, Via Sistina galloped left-handed at Rosehill and will be floated to Waller's Flemington base on Wednesday night. 

"Nothing really changed, only we didn't trial her on Tuesday and we were only trialling her because it was going to be four weeks between runs," Waller said. 

"Now it's only three weeks, so we galloped her left-handed at Rosehill on Tuesday. 

"She's come back in good shape and we're looking forward to Saturday's race at Flemington." 

Stablemate Aeliana, who finished second to Via Sistina in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) first-up at Randwick last month, is set to be one of five rivals for Via Sistina on Saturday. 

Aeliana, who took out the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) during last year's Melbourne Cup Carnival, arrived at Flemington earlier in the week. 

Along with stablemate Lazzura, who runs in the Group 2 Kirin Ichiban Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, Aeliana galloped on the course proper on Wednesday morning to reacquaint herself with the Flemington circuit. 

"She's a very good horse, how good we don't know," Waller said. 

"Saturday will be interesting. A mile second-up, she's still probably a run away from her peak, which may not be until 2000 metres or 2000 metres plus. 

"I couldn't be happier with her. Her first-up run was terrific. She made Via Sistina stretch over the concluding stages and it was a good sign of what may come for the rest of her preparation." 

Waller said both mares would derive benefit from Saturday's outing as they are being geared towards races over 2000m. 

"They're both peaking to get to their third and fourth runs at their top," Waller said. 

"They'll have tough runs if they're fighting out the finish, but it's not going to hurt them as they're not at their best distances yet. 

"Lining them up to get over 2000 metres, there is improvement to come and I'm happy to be lining them up against each other at a mile and obviously taking on better horses as well."