Is Via Sistina over? | RACING.COM

Kinglsey punter Bartholomew admits he can’t believe bookmakers are offering such a good price on Via Sistina in Saturday’s Group 1 Champions Stakes.

Corporations have tipped the Cox Plate winner as favorite for the $1.75 2000m and Bartholomew believes there is some meat in that price.

Bartholomew has been heavily promoting Via Sistina in the lead-up to her Cox Plate triumph and he is keen to remain with the star mare, saying she is racing well on paper and should justify her current price.

“I’m surprised it’s selling for such a good price. I thought it was $1.45,” he said.

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Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni have dominated the betting at many of Australia’s biggest G1 events over the past 12 months and they are once again playing a major role in the G1 Champion Saturday Mile market at Flemington.

But Bartholomew has his eyes on the next generation when he bets on horse racing.

“I’m going to come back – it’s an incredibly tough race – but I’ll take the form of Antino and the other Wil,” Bartholomew said.

“They are horses on the road compared to Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni, who may have had their own grand finals.

“I’m not saying they can’t win. These are fantastic horses. You’ll have to go one way or the other (and I’m going the other way).

“This is a fantastic race. We haven’t even talked about Fangirl, Broadsideing, Amelia’s Jewel and Stefi Magnetica.

“To me it’s a carnival race.”