Chris Waller likened it to a “Foxplay moment” but, just as Winx did eight years ago, Via Sistina refused to be denied in the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

Having her first start since winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April, the champion mare was challenged strongly by stablemate and Australian Derby winner Aeliana but held firm to prevail by a neck.

“It was almost a Foxplay moment, wasn’t it? We’ve got a couple of decent mares on our hands,” Waller said.

The victory was her ninth Group 1, following last spring’s Cox Plate triumph, though Waller admitted concerns about racing first-up on a heavy 10. He urged officials to consider resting Randwick and Rosehill in July to preserve racing surfaces.

“They need Via Sistina, not just winning today. They need Via Sistina winning second up, third up, fourth up,” he said.

Via Sistina is set to follow a Cox Plate path again, while Aeliana is expected to find her own feature targets later in spring.