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J-Mac chases Cox Plate history aboard Via Sistina
Shayne Hope, AAP •  October 24th, 2025 1:56 pm
James McDonald | Photo: AAP
Champion jockey James McDonald jests he would have taken a second fall from Via Sistina if it meant another record-breaking victory in the $6 million Cox Plate and a sought-after slice of history.
A far smoother preparation for Saturday's 2040m Group 1 feature means the star hoop won't have to survive such a dangerous prelude this time if he is to triumph in Australasia's weight-for-age championship for the fourth consecutive year.
The near-perfect build-up doesn't guarantee Via Sistina will set any fresh marks after last year's record-equalling eight-length victory in a time that beat legendary mare Winx's previous best by almost two seconds.
But it does ensure McDonald a huge shot at glory aboard the defending champion and raging favourite, in what will be the final running of the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley before the quirky, rectangular racecourse undergoes a $220 million redevelopment.
"It would be such a thrill to win it, especially being the last one," 120-time Group 1 winner McDonald said.
"It's rich in history, and we've seen some unbelievable champions grace the turf here.
"It's going to be sad to see it go, but it would be lovely to win the last running of the Cox Plate (in the traditional configuration)."
Via Sistina was a beaten favourite at her two most recent starts - both Group 1 contests at Flemington.
But McDonald, widely known as "J-Mac", insists the eight-year-old mare is in as good condition as 12 months ago, when she recovered from throwing the jockey in trackwork just four days out from her Cox Plate demolition job.
"I might have taken another tumble for that result," McDonald said.
"She's going well. We just haven't had the right set-up for her to show her best, and normally a Cox Plate will do that.
"It's a phenomenal race and something that we really cherish being a part of, and there's obviously going to be (eight) competitors that are all gunning for the same glory.
"We're looking forward to the challenge, and I'm pretty happy with how she's felt."
The Cox Plate field was weakened when previous favourite Sir Delius was ruled out, deemed at "heightened risk of injury" under Racing Victoria's controversial veterinary protocols.
Likely pacesetter Globe has also been withdrawn, while Via Sistina, who will jump ideally from barrier five, will be asked to ignore the tempo and run her own race.
The Chris Waller-trained Via Sistina is the $2.20 favourite from Antino ($3.80) and Treasurethe Moment ($6).
Aeliana ($7.50) and Buckaroo ($14) round out the top five and complete Waller's three-pronged assault on what could be the master trainer's sixth Cox Plate win.
McDonald previously piloted Anamoe (2022) and Romantic Warrior (2023) to victory, and could become only the second jockey behind Winx's Hugh Bowman to win four in a row if Via Sistina scores again.
The 33-year-old's earliest Cox Plate memories are of champion New Zealand mare Sunline, who won the race in 1999 and 2000 before being denied a hat-trick by Northerly in one of the rivals' great battles.
Sunline's jockey Greg Childs - another Kiwi - backed countryman McDonald to get the job done.
