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Bunbury-born jockey Damian Lane finishes second in Cox Plate onboard Prognosis

Josh KemptonBunbury Herald
Damian Lane and Prognosis after the Cox Plate.
Camera IconDamian Lane and Prognosis after the Cox Plate. Credit: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

A phenomenal performance from Via Sistina denied Bunbury-born jockey Damian Lane his second Cox Plate win aboard Japanese raider Prognosis at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Prognosis went into the gates as the favourite and shook off concerns over how he would jump with a strong start to the race, laying the groundwork for a big finish by pulling in front-runner Pride of Jenni to lead before the final turn.

But Via Sistina — who Lane piloted to victory in the Group One Turnbull Stakes earlier this month — stormed home to win what is widely regarded as the best race in the country by more than eight lengths, ahead of Prognosis in second.

Remarkably, the Chris Waller-trained mare broke the course record by nearly two seconds, beating a run from the legendary Winx in the same race in 2017.

Speaking after the race, Lane said he had no qualms over how Prognosis had performed.

“He was very honest, you couldn’t have asked much more,” he said.

“He stepped away well and travelled great throughout the run.

“I was confident coming down the side I was going to be a winning chance but Via Sistina was just in another class today. She was way too good today.”

The win was made all the more memorable by Via Sistina’s lead-in to the race, with her participation plunged into doubt after she dropped jockey James McDonald during trackwork on Tuesday.

After handing the legendary hoop his 100th Group One victory, Via Sistina has been pegged as the early favourite for next week’s Melbourne Cup.

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