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By Ray Hickson

Everything superstar Via Sistina has done so far this autumn has been a bonus according to champion jockey James McDonald who says the mare goes to Rosehill with “all guns blazing” as she chases back-to-back wins in the Group 1 $1m Ranvet Stakes (2000m).

Champion jockey James McDonald (Pic: Bradley Photos).

It’s something of an ominous suggestion from the man out to add to his 112 Group 1 wins with a stellar book rides at Rosehill where he’s on the favourite in four of the five majors.

Via Sistina’s aura reached a new high with her runaway Cox Plate win and McDonald said naturally, because of that, the expectation is always going to be high when she steps out.

“There’s more expectation because last year no-one knew how good she was,’’ he said.

“Since she’s won the Cox Plate she goes out a short priced favourite every time so there’s a great expectation.

“We’re not expecting her to go to any new level like she did last prep because that was fantastic.

“It’s pretty tough to run to that level all the time but if she can maintain her form that’s all we can ask and she’ll be tough to beat.”

The last horse to win successive Ranvet Strakes was the Gai Waterhouse-trained Theseo in 2008 and 2009.

The short price for Via Sistina in the Ranvet was $1.40 with TAB on Wednesday and it comes as she faces six rivals on the back of her seventh Group 1 win in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) three weeks ago.

McDonald said he loved the way the seven-year-old managed to out-tough a proven miler like Fangirl in that race at a distance that is really at the bottom end of her powers.

“It was tough and gritty. There was a nice solid pace and she was able to get over the top and do her best work late which she always seems to do,’’ he said.

“We expect her to bounce off that too. She’s got a great cruising speed and her will to win is there for everyone to see.

“She’s not doing anything any different this prep, she won at 1400m last prep and she ran third this year. She’s going every bit as good as last year that’s what it boils down to really.

“Chris Harwood does all her work and he’s thrilled with the way she’s going and if he’s thrilled then Chris (Waller) is thrilled. They are the main two that need to be happy.”

Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton will race in winkers for the first time as he strives to live up to the boom on him that’s been there since his debut win and hand McDonald his second Slipper, following Mossfun in 2014.

From McDonald’s perspective the colt will have his chance with an inside barrier allowing him to ride Wodeton how Chris Waller wants, a little more quietly and with some cover.

“The barrier draw fared really well for us which is pretty pleasing,’’ he said.

“That’s a bit of the puzzle made easier, if we drew wide it makes the job more difficult. It gives him the opportunity to be finishing with a blaze of glory.”

Godolphin colt Broadsiding had his colours lowered in the Randwick Guineas but McDonald warned not to drop off him going up in distance in the Group 1 $750,000 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas (2000m).

On face value Broadsiding had his chance to run Linebacker down over the Randwick mile but McDonald’s view is he was left a touch vulnerable under the circumstances of the race.

“I thought he was fantastic, he gave his all and he was just caught out in terms of being second-up off a brilliant first-up run and a strongly run race,’’ he said.

Via Sistina wins at Randwick on March 1

“We’re third-up now and he’ll be a much better horse third-up so we expect him to be bouncing back.

“He’s obviously a classy colt who hasn’t really put a foot wrong in his career, he’s danced every dance.”

James McDonald on Autumn Glow (race 4): “The whole stable is jumping with joy in terms of anticipation for her to run. She promised a lot in he spring so we’re looking forward to stepping her out. Six furlongs is going to be short of her best but she’s training well enough to suggest she’ll be there to be winning.”

All the fields, form and replays for Golden Slipper day at Rosehill