'When I first saw it, I feared the worst' - Via Sistina a doubt for Saturday's Cox Plate after dramatic gallops incident

Via Sistina's bid for a fifth Group 1 victory in Saturday's Cox Plate is in doubt after she unseated rider James McDonald during a public workout at Moonee Valley on Tuesday.

The mare was one of several star names galloping in front of the media as part of the Breakfast With The Best morning at the Valley but preparations did not go to plan.

The six-year-old unshipped McDonald on the home turn before running loose for two and a half laps with a bandage and gear flapping between her legs. The sweating Via Sistina was eventually caught before being checked over by the vets and trainer Chris Waller.

"She was working brilliantly and obviously got tangled up there with a loose bandage and tripped herself over," McDonald told Racing.com.

"I've got a little bit of a sore shoulder as you’d probably expect falling that way. It could've been a lot worse."

Via Sistina runs loose after unshipping jockey James McDonald Credit: Scott Barbour (Getty Images)

Waller was understandably concerned at the sight of Via Sistina, who heads the weights of those left in contention for next month's Melbourne Cup, running loose.

"When I first saw it, I feared the worst and that something tragically might have gone wrong," he said. "That hasn't happened, she's safe.

"She doesn't have any hair missing. There's no blood, no skin off. Her heart rate's back down. While it's disappointing, I'm grateful the horse is 100 per cent."

Via Sistina, winner of last year's Pretty Polly Stakes when trained by George Boughey, is a 4-1 chance with bet365 to record a fourth Group 1 success since joining Waller in the Cox Plate.

Via Sistina and James McDonald before the gallops incidentCredit: Scott Barbour (Getty Images)

"It's not ideal but it's great theatre, one I didn't want to be part of," said Waller. "We'll use all of that time right up until Saturday morning to make sure that everyone's happy. She will only run if she's 100 per cent.

"She's had a tough day at the office and the key now this afternoon is a nice, easy time. She'd normally be having a quiet gallop on Thursday. That'll be abandoned if it's not required. She'll just have very light cantering and a trip to the beach to let her chill out."

Previous experience has demonstrated to Waller that the turnaround to Saturday's race will not be a futile attempt with Via Sistina.

"Rangirangdoo was getting ready for the Cox Plate and almost the identical thing happened," he said. "We got scared and didn't run in the Cox Plate and instead ran in the Crystal Mile and he broke the track record. So, hopefully we can do something special similar to that."

Via Sistina is one of nine left in contention for the Cox Plate along with last year's runner-up Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni, who comfortably beat both of those rivals in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in April.

British representation is provided by Docklands, who chased home Charyn – a winner of another two Group 1s since – in the Queen Anne Stakes on his penultimate start.

Last seen finishing behind the likes of City Of Troy, Calandagan and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking when seventh in the Juddmonte International, the four-year-old is set for his first start outside of Europe.

Trainer Harry Eustace said: "We're a good miler back home, we've travelled at a very strong tempo. No-one likes watching weight-for-age races where no one is keen to go on and it's a very stop-start tempo.

"With Pride Of Jenni in there, one thing you're guaranteed is a very strong tempo."

Docklands: British representative in the Cox PlateCredit: Alex Davidson (Getty Images)

Eustace successfully helped transport Addeybb around Australia when he was assistant to William Haggas. His brother David also won the 2022 Melbourne Cup with Gold Trip when he shared a training licence with Ciaron Maher.

"The Cox Plate has been on our radar for a long time," said the Newmarket trainer. "I was lucky enough to see So You Think win his second one when I worked initially down here for Lee and Anthony Freedman and then I was here when Winx won her third.

"David really put the pressure on a couple of Christmases ago because he sent a picture to the family WhatsApp group which just said 'Just packing to come home' and the only thing in his suitcase was the Melbourne Cup!

"So I'm on the back foot there, but if we could go 1-1 in the Cox Plate, it would be a start."

Cox Plate (7.00am, Saturday, October 26)

bet365: 2 Prognosis, 7-2 Pride Of Jenni, 4 Via Sistina, 6 Broadsiding, 7 Mr Brightside, 16 Docklands, 25 Evaporate, 50 Kovalica, Royal Patronage

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