Britain's hopes of Cox Plate glory up in the air as Docklands faces crucial second vets check

Connections of Britain's only Ladbrokes Cox Plate (7.10) hope Docklands face a nervous wait to see if he can take his chance as he must pass a vets check on raceday morning.

The Harry Eustace-trained four-year-old has long had the Moonee Valley highlight as a target, in which he would be ridden by Blake Shinn, but plans for him to run could be scuppered just hours before the 1m2f Group 1 takes place.

While Racing Victoria's stewards passed Japanese star Prognosis as fit to run, as well as Pride Of Jenni, they have ordered Docklands to be assessed again before the final scratching time for the race, which takes place at 7.10am in Britain on Saturday.

A statement from Racing Victoria said: "Racing Victoria vets have today inspected Japanese contender Prognosis and passed the horse as suitable to race in this Saturday’s Cox Plate.

“The Harry Eustace-trained Docklands was also inspected; however, due to a change in the horse's gait he will be re-inspected prior to scratching time tomorrow to determine the horse's suitability to race.

“A late gear change has also been approved by stewards, with an equicast being placed on the horse's left front foot. All other runners were passed as suitable to race."

Docklands is 12-1 with Sky Bet behind 2-1 market leader Prognosis for the Cox Plate. He was last seen finishing seventh in the Juddmonte International in August, but finished second in the Queen Anne Stakes behind Charyn previously.

Should he be given the green light to run, he will come up against the former George Boughey-trained Via Sistina, who will take her chance despite dramatically unseating rider James McDonald during a public workout earlier in the week.

Her trainer Chris Waller said: "She’s bouncing, she really is. She had her very thorough trot ups with Racing Victoria and passed them with flying colours. She’s ready to go."

7.10 Moonee Valley, October 26, Ladbrokes Cox Plate (Group 1)

Sky bet: 2 Prognosis, 9-2 Via Sistina, Broadsiding, 5 Pride Of Jenni, 7 Mr Brightside, 12 Docklands, 16 bar

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