Racing
Trial action set to heat up as stars collide
Cox Plate heroine Via Sistina is edging closer to a race day return.
Chris Waller is resigned to pitting four of his biggest stars against each other first-up before placing them on different Group One paths into the spring.
The quartet will be among the headline acts at an outstanding set of Randwick barrier trials on Thursday, the heats delayed by two days due to Sydney's wet weather.
Waller said the slight change in schedule would have no bearing on the build ups of Via Sistina, Fangirl, Lady Shenandoah and Aeliana, who he described as being "really well advanced" in their preparations.
All are slated to resume in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on August 23 before they are separated to pursue individual goals.
"They have just come up beautifully, touch wood," Waller said.
"I'm pretty keen to get Via, Fangirl, Aeliana and Lady Shenandoah all to the Winx. I can't see it being avoided.
"I've got a pretty good handle on where they're at and it's exciting, but it's going to be frustrating too that we've got to run a few of them together.
"It will only be their first-up run, then there's King Charles', Makybe Divas, Turnbulls and Epsoms. They will be goals after that."
Via Sistina and Fangirl will clash in Thursday's opening 1000m heat on the course proper, a trial that also features Ciaron Maher's Group 1 winners Another Wil and Light Infantry Man along with classy stayer Vauban.
Aeliana and Lady Shenandoah line up in heat two, while unbeaten mare Autumn Glow and new stablemate Beiwacht, formerly with James Cummings, go head-to-head over 850m.
Their opponents include Jimmysstar, who was recently confirmed for an Everest slot, and Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker, who are among a host of other big names set to compete across the 17 heats.
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