George Boughey performs a ceremonial dance for beloved Falmouth eatery Via Sistina during a rainstorm.
Via Sistina Aims for Group One Victory in the Falmouth Stakes
Via Sistina, trained by George Boughey, will be looking to add another prestigious win to her impressive racing CV in the Group One Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket on Friday. The six-year-old mare finished third in the race last year, and Boughey is hopeful that the track conditions will be favourable for her this time around.
The Falmouth Stakes has been a planned race for Via Sistina due to her strong performance on straight tracks. Her most recent victory came in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, where she clinched her first Group One race over 10 furlongs.
The race at Newmarket was run in rainy conditions, which appeared to affect the dynamics of the race. Nashwa, trained by John and Thady Gosden, powered through the rain to win convincingly, with Remarquee, the Royal Ascot runner-up, finishing second. Via Sistina, despite the challenging weather conditions, managed to finish third.
Boughey will assess the track conditions before making a decision about Via Sistina's participation in the race. Soft ground is crucial for her performance, and if the track at Newmarket receives rain, she will be competitive. However, if the track is faster than the one at the Curragh, she will not compete.
The field for the one-mile race at Newmarket includes several notable competitors. Apart from Nashwa and Remarquee, John and Thady Gosden will also be represented by Coppice, with Tom Marquand riding due to Frankie Dettori's ban. Defending champion Prosperous Voyage is also in the race, as well as Pam Sly's Astral Beau and Aidan O'Brien's Never Ending Story.
Via Sistina is currently a 6-4 favourite for the Group One race, and a win could make her an even more attractive horse. Winning the Falmouth Stakes would add another significant accolade to her already impressive racing career.
George Boughey is confident about Via Sistina's chances, stating, "If the ground is soft, she'll be very competitive. Winning the Falmouth Stakes would be a fantastic achievement for Via Sistina and her connections."
The Falmouth Stakes is the highlight of the July meeting at Newmarket, and with Via Sistina in the field, it promises to be an exciting race.
Via Sistina's past success in horse-racing, particularly on straight tracks like the one in the Falmouth Stakes, makes her well-suited for this Saturday's Group One race, as she aims to replicate her previous third-place finish. Given her preference for soft ground, the racing conditions could strongly influence her performance in the upcoming sports event.
