Champion jockey James McDonald has etched his name in racing folklore with a historic triumph on Via Sistina in Saturday’s final Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

It wasn’t as dominant as last year’s record-equalling eight-length victory, but the raging favourite did just enough in the $6m weight-for-age championship.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Via Sistina wins the Cox Plate.

Via Sistina settled in sixth place and had plenty to do when she was five wide on the bend. She took the lead from Treasurethe Moment in the home straight before holding off Buckaroo in a grandstand finish.

“It is the most extraordinary finish. It is the most extraordinary battle up the straight, and an incredible champion,” Bruce McAvaney said.

“I don’t think we’ve seen a better battle up the straight.”

McDonald and Via

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