"I will tip..."

Via Sistina is currently the $2.30 favourite with Sportsbet to win the $6 million Cox Plate (2040m).

The eight-year-old mare won this race by 8 lengths last year and now she is looking to go back-to-back.

The superstar hasn’t been in the best of form this spring though, only winning the Winx Stakes (1400m) first-up, and coming third in both the Makybe Diva Stakes and Turnbull Stakes.

Despite not being at peak form, Gerard Whateley believes the Chris Waller-trained bay should win this year’s edition of the Cox Plate.

“I think I will tip Via Sistina for the history of it,” Whateley told SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“She’s entered the twilight of her career, as an eight-year-old.

“But the great horses have won this race twice.

“That image of last year (winning by 8 lengths) and she beat a better field then she’ll need to beat this year.

“I’ll defer to the reigning horse of the year.”

“But I will say I won’t back her – I couldn’t take $2.”

Whateley was adamant that Via Sistina is far too short of a favourite to be backable in the $6 million Group 1, but Gareth Hall is confident that she is.

Hall attended the Breakfast With The Best at Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning and saw first-hand Via Sistina’s physical excellence.

“I might be able to take $2,” Hall said.

“Just the way she looked there on Tuesday, I just don’t know how they beat her.

“She looked like a different horse.

“She was like the heavyweight champion coming out to box in front of the crowd just to say I’ve finally arrived here for this spring.

“You’ll see the world champ do what she needs to do there on Saturday.

Click here to see Bruce McAvaney’s selections for the Cox Plate.

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