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No Concerns For Via Sistina After Gallops Scare

| 10:04 am

Updated: October 22, 2024 at 10:08 am

There were dramatic scenes at Moonee Valley when Cox Plate favourite VIA SISTINA, ridden by JAMES McDONALD, almost fell. The incident, which dislodged McDonald, was caused by a leg wrap on her off foreleg coming unwrapped, which made the mare trip. She went on to complete another 2 laps of the course before being caught but has pulled up without any injuries. Connections have accepted with the mare, and she will be monitored throughout the week with a decision to be made on raceday. Photo by Bronwen Healy. The Image is Everything - Bronwen Healy Photography.

Chris Waller's star mare Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) had a scare at Tuesday's Breakfast With The Stars when her bandage came unravelled and she tripped, dislodging jockey James McDonald. Both horse and rider were fine, although Via Sistina galloped several laps before being caught.

“We'll accept for Saturday and use all that time, right up until Saturday morning, to make sure everyone is happy,” Waller told racenet.com.au about Saturday's G1 Cox Plate. “The horse is 100% first and foremost, we'll go beyond that, take bloods, make sure the vets are happy, make sure the strappers are happy, she will only run if she's 100%. She's had a tough day on the training track, the key now, this afternoon, is a nice easy time, she'd normally have a gallop Thursday, that will be abandoned, it's not required. She'll have a light cantering in the park type work, a trip to the beach, let her be a horse, nice picks of grass and just let her chill out.

 

“Firstly, when I first saw her, I feared the worst that something tragically might've gone wrong and you take comfort that hasn't happened and she's safe. Second to that, no skin off, no hair off, horses are unpredictable animals and she just got a fright, her heart rate is back down.

“We've given her a nice walk, she's had a good drink, almost a bucket of water, no different to us, replaced fluid and her heart rate is down. She dried off really quick which is a good sign, there's no more sweat, we hosed her for a second time and she's back to normal, while it's disappointing, I'm grateful the horse is 100%.”