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Via Sistina has shown in her two runs this campaign that her strength at the end of her races is exactly why she’s so effective at 2000m and that’s an ominous sign for the rest of the autumn.

Just as she did at the end of Apollo when third at 1400m, the superstar mare surged when she looked in danger in the TAB Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) to claim the Group 1.

Part of her ability to turn the tables on Fangirl, who again showed she has a dazzling turn of food on a good track, came from settling in front of her stablemate.

Punter’s Intelligence data showed Fangirl ran the fastest last 600m of 33.08, just over a length faster than Via Sistina’s 33.27. That length difference appeared in the 400m-200m as she ran 10.67.

But the final 200m saw Via Sistina clock 11.30, 0.04 faster than Fangirl. Clearly there’s not a lot between the two Chris Waller trained mares up to a mile.

Unfortunately we won’t see them clash at 2000m as it’s likely Fangirl goes to the George Ryder (1500m) while Via Sistina eyes back-to-back Ranvet Stakes (2000m).

Away from the two mares, Fawkner Park’s return would have pleased connections as he claimed fourth placing with a last 600m of 33.28, just outside Via Sistina’s, and he was held up a little to the inside of the Waller pair as they made their runs.

He improved sharply second-up last time in before winning at 2000m third-up but this fresh effort was arguably as good as he’s produced, so if he improves off it there’s a good race in him.

Lady Shenandoah clocked the fastest last 600m of the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) and she was able to outpoint Lady Of Camelot largely through her sprint from the 400m-200m (10.81) which was half a length faster.

Lady Of Camelot fought hard and they two classy fillies were only split by 0.01 over the last 200m.

The filly to follow from the race, assuming she doesn’t clash with the winner again, is Declichy Boulevard who was strongest at the finish running 11.61 for her last 200m in sixth place.

There’s always plenty of interest in the two-year-old lead ups to the Golden Slipper and there couldn’t have been two races run any differently than the two juvenile events over 1200m.

Rivellino stopped the clock at 1:10.39 in the Skyline Stakes while Within The Law won the Sweet Embrace running 1:09.51 – some five lengths faster.

The first 600m of the Skyline was run in 36.71 against the Sweet Embrace in 34.69 – basically 12 lengths slower so it’s no surprise the boys had much faster late sectionals.

Within The Law ran a 34.02 final 600m while Rivellino ran 33.25.

The runners up in both races are worthy of attention – Bellazaine set that fast tempo and was only collared right on the line despite running 12.05 for her last 200m; Skyhook in contrast posted the fastest last 200m in his race of 10.95.

Big Dance and The Gong winner Gringotts showed with his return in the Liverpool City Cup (1300m) that he’s ready to go to a new level.

He’s posted the meeting’s equal fastest last 600m of 32.85 as he charged to a close, and somewhat unlucky, third. His final 200m of 11.27 was the race’s best by a length and a half.

In the spring he was narrowly beaten in his first two runs back before claiming the two rich features over the mile. The gelding has 55.5kg in the Doncaster Mile.

Fastest last 600m: Gringotts, Onyspeed 32.85

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