James McDonald will reunite with Via Sistina this Saturday as the Cox Plate winner takes on stablemate Fangirl in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes at Randwick.

Via Sistina, who was ridden by Kerrin McEvoy for a third-place finish in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), regains McDonald for the first time since they teamed up to win the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington in November.

Trainer Chris Waller believes the additional 200m in Saturday’s race will suit Via Sistina, but he also sees this as a final opportunity for Fangirl to prove herself against Via Sistina before stepping up to 2000m.

“Fangirl is going to be very hard to beat,” Waller said, with Jason Collett again in the saddle. “She is close to her peak second-up, and will be at her best.”

“Via Sistina is a mile/2000-metre horse. The faster they go, the better she’ll go,” Waller added.

Fangirl has drawn barrier five, while Via Sistina will jump from gate eight in the nine-horse field.

Waller also has Lindermann (barrier seven) and Land Legend (barrier one) in the Verry Elleegant Stakes, with Ceolwulf (barrier nine) expected to be tough competition.

In addition, Waller has five runners in the $750,000 Surround Stakes (1400m), including odds-on favourite Lady Shenandoah, who drew barrier three.