Via Sistina ruled out of the Melbourne Cup

Cox Plate-winning mare Via Sistina will not run in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup after connections declared her a non-starter on Wednesday.

The star seven-year-old set a track record to win the Cox Plate by eight lengths, with her performance leaving her ranked as the No.1 horse in the world.

If the Cox Plate-winning combination of Via Sistina and jockey James McDonald won’t saddle up together for the Melbourne Cup.Credit: Eddie Jim

She will instead run in the group 1 Champions Stakes on the final day of the Flemington Carnival on Saturday week, over 2000 metres.

Her trainer Chris Waller said on Tuesday that she had pulled up well from the Cox Plate win, but they would weigh up 100 factors before making the decision.

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The decision leaves champion jockey James McDonald without a ride in Tuesday’s race.

Owner Yulong Investments announced in a post on social media on Wednesday morning that Via Sistina would not run on the first Tuesday in November.

“ Via Sistina officially ranked the world’s number 1 racehorse! The Cox Plate has always been her main target, to win it is nothing short of a dream,” Yulong Investments’ statement said on X on Wednesday morning.

“Following this peak performance and after much consideration, it has been decided she will not contest the 2024 Melbourne Cup.”