Champion trainer Chris Waller has declared he could not be happier with star mares Via Sistina and Aeliana despite their defeats in Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
The pair finished behind Mr Brightside, who claimed his third Makybe Diva under Craig Williams after controlling the tempo from the front.
“They went awesome, simple as that,” Waller told racing.com. “They couldn’t have run any better. Mr Brightside is a great horse and Craig took the initiative in leading. I think my two were ridden brilliantly and they put on a bloody good show – that’s what people want to see.”
Waller said the six-horse field was always going to play to Mr Brightside’s strengths.
Makybe Diva Stakes | Mr Brightside
MR BRIGHTSIDE, BACK TO BACK TO BACK! One of the all-time great milers wins the Makybe Diva Stakes for the third consecutive year & does it in a procession 💫
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/hSs81THiFf— Racing.com (@Racing) September 13, 2025
“I would have preferred a race like that than a tearaway leader. For us, getting to our grand finals, we are exactly on target. We don’t need to change anything or adjust anything. The pressure of a 2000-metre race will suit both of them.”
Via Sistina, who was beaten in last year’s Cox Plate but earned a world rating with the performance, is again aimed at Moonee Valley in October. Waller confirmed she is set to run in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes in three weeks’ time as her lead-up.
Aeliana’s path is less clear, with Waller suggesting she may dodge her stablemate in the Turnbull and instead run in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes.
“She’s a star – she’ll be next year’s Makybe Diva,” Waller said. “The Caulfield Cup just doesn’t appeal to me. I’d love to win it but it’s not that easy, so it’s unlikely. The Turnbull looks obvious for Via and maybe Aeliana, but if we can dodge, we will.”
