One of the top chances in the Cox Plate, Via Sistina is still expected to take her place in the field for Saturday’s big race despite throwing rider James McDonald at trackwork.
The horse appeared to trip over her own feet around the bend at Tuesday morning’s Breakfast with the Best at Moonee Valley, which unseated the rider.
Via Sistina went on to complete two laps of the course riderless, before being finally captured in the back straight.
McDonald thankfully walked away unharmed, and afterwards explained what happened.
“She was just working and has just tripped herself over a bandage that has come loose – it’s like one in a million,” he told reporters later in the morning.
McDonald was cleared by medical staff at Moonee Valley to continue riding but admits the incident was particularly disappointing because Via Sistina was looking good until that moment.
“She was going terrific, her build-up has been brilliant and we were only 200m away from our final bit of work, a bit disappointing,” McDonald said.
“As long as she’s pulled up OK and Chris is happy with her, I’m OK.
“It’s part of sport, you ride the ups and you ride the downs.”
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Via Sistina drew barrier four for the Group 1 race and is a $4.80 chance with the TAB, behind favourite Prognosis at $3.00.
Trainer Chris Waller explained that he is still going to pay the entry fee with the expectation that she will run after inspecting her following the incident, but will make the final decision closer to race time.
“She’s remarkably fine,” Waller said on SEN Track.
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“That was our first concern, James and the horse. We could see that she tripped and put in an awkward stride and you always fear the worst but when she continued on, that was great, with James to get straight to his feet.
“Fortunately, she’s fine. Our vet has had a look over her; there’s no hair off, no skin off – but it’s a long week and we’ll see how she is later.”
However, the trainer admitted that her preparation would look a little different to what was originally planned, but would not make a call until 7.30am Saturday morning.
“When the horse is running freely, there’s no weight on their back,” Waller said.
“Tomorrow morning she was set to run about three and a half kilometres with a rider on, but instead we’ll just have a trip to the beach.
“Thursday she was set to have a gallop but will now just have a quiet day instead, and Friday is just keep everything simple.”
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/MGQmK0l Waller confident his leading Cox Plate contender will race despite throwing the jockey in trackwork mishap
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