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.
It was the final Cox Plate gallop that quickly turned to drama…
We have exclusive footage of J-Mac's fall from Via Sistina as they prepared for Saturday's feature at @TheValley 🎥 pic.twitter.com/a4lnORPR1a
— Ladbrokes.com.au (@ladbrokescomau) October 22, 2024
“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%.”
Our regular physio Tom Simpson was at the stable this afternoon to examine Via Sistina & at this early stage, has no concerns with her following this morning @TheValley. pic.twitter.com/4ymmSFOoGZ
— Chris Waller Racing (@cwallerracing) October 22, 2024
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