All on track for Cox Plate as Via Sistina returns to The Valley following mishap

Gareth Hall says Via Sistina is on track to start in Saturday's Cox Plate.

The Chris Waller-trained mare made headlines on track work on Tuesday morning when tripping at the top of the straight and dumping jockey James McDonald before running riderless around The Valley for three laps.

Yulong Racing Manager Troy Stephens said it would be “very unlikely” that we would see her line up in the weight-for-age feature given what happened at Breakfast with the Best.

However, following a positive couple of days, Via Sistina surprisingly returned to Moonee Valley on Thursday morning for what appeared to be a final tune-up in preparation for the weekend.

“There was some news this morning that Via Sistina headed to Moonee Valley,” Hall told SENTrack.

“She basically went there for a mental point of view after what happened there on Tuesday after she tripped and James McDonald was unable to stay on her and then she did three laps around Moonee Valley.

“There’s been all the talk around whether or not she starts in the Cox Plate but she’s pulled up well since that situation on Tuesday morning.

“She went to the beach yesterday and just trotted around this morning with an easy canter with Firestorm who goes around at The Valley for Chris Waller on Saturday.

“It’s all okay and it looks like she’s on track to start in the Cox Plate which is terrific news.

“She’s the second favourite at the moment so that is good news, Via Sistina was back at The Valley this morning and it all went smoothly.”

Via Sistina is the $4.40 second favourite with Sportsbet where she’ll jump from barrier four.

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