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Fastnet Rock Gr1 Turnbull Quinella as Via Sistina heads Buckeroo

06 Oct 24

The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick was at the fore again on Saturday in the $750,000 Gr1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington when stablemates Via Sistina (IRE) and Buckaroo (IRE) went to the line head-to-head.

Already this season the duo have been Gr1 winners in Australia, Via Sistine winning the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and Buckeroo winning the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.

Yet again they knuckled down for a stirring tussle with the mare sticking her head out to win on the line under Damian Lane.

"Buckaroo is the man on the scene at the moment and he was going for three wins in a row. He's dug deep and only been narrowly denied.

"It's so fantastic for the whole team and for her (Via Sistine) to perform like that, it's pretty special for everyone involved with her, fantastic for Yulong ….. they've got an absolute diamond."

Via Sistina remains in discussion for both the Gr1 MRC Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 19 and the Gr1 VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 5 for which she is now topweight with 56kg for both races, although the Gr1 MVRC Cox Plate (2040m) on October 26 appears the likely next target.

Via Sistina is a fascinating horse as she is the original ugly duckling that grew into a swan.

Purchased her as a yearling for 5,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Sale she was sold at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year fetching 2.7million guineas to the bid of Yulong.

Via Sistina has the overall record of eight wins and six placings from 17 starts and is the best of four winners from Nigh, an unraced half-sister by Galileo to dual Gr1 winning sprinter Kingsgate Native.

Sire Fastnet Rock is now enjoying a well-earned retirement at Coolmore Australia and his place on the roster has been taken by his promising young son Acrobat.

The Fastnet Rock x Galileo cross which produced both Via Sistina and Buckaroo from 158 starters has produced 29 SW’s including 11 Gr1 winners – with over 18% SW to runners.

Dynamic Syndications have had a colt by the champion sire FASTNET ROCK from the Savabeel mare TANTALUS on offer and on Friday evening put the Fully Reserved sign up on the colt which is being trained by Ciaron Maher.

The colt has impressed his trainer enough at their Bong Bong (Moss Vale) operations that the Ciaron Maher Team grabbed a leg (25%) in him to offer to their owners.

Purchased specifically to aim at the Blue Riband Classics of Guineas and Derbies and then onto Cups as an older horse, he is from a mare who won over 2150m, and TANTALUS is a blood-sister to champions SAVVY COUP; PROBABEEL and MOVIE – Dam of NEVER BEEN KISSED. Our colt was one of only a handful of progeny available by the Champion Sire and Champion Broodmare Sire before his fertility issues resulted in his retirement from stud duties.