Champion trainer Chris Waller gives Via Sistina thumbs up to start in Cox Plate

Chris Waller was much happier on Friday than he was earlier in the week with Via Sistina to take her place in the Cox Plate on Saturday.

Four-time Cox Plate-winning trainer Chris Waller has cleared the path for Via Sistina to run in Australia’s best race on Saturday at The Valley.

Via Sistina completed her final piece of work on Friday at Flemington, a quiet canter around the track, after an unexpected 72-hour rejuvenation block.

Waller’s plans for the week were derailed last Tuesday when Via Sistina took a fright to a gear malfunction in a track gallop at The Valley and unseated jockey James McDonald.

She completed more than two additional laps of the course proper before being caught in the back straight.

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Via Sistina went to the beach on Wednesday for recovery, cantered around The Valley on Thursday, cleared Racing Victoria vet protocols and passed the Waller eye test on Friday.

“Much happier than I was on Tuesday morning,” Waller said on Friday.

“She’s had a good week, simple as that.

“The workout on Tuesday morning was going well until she parted with James, since then it’s the coach’s job, and our team’s job, to counteract what happened.

“She recovered well and the feed bin has been impressive, she’s licked it clean each and every night and day, that’s first and foremost to say she’s not suffering in any way.”

Waller used a private gallop at The Valley on Thursday to ensure Via Sistina enjoyed a good experience there.

Via Sistina unseats James McDonald at The Valley on Tuesday. Picture: Michael Klein

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“I didn’t want her to be traumatised by it, or have any negative effects to find out on Saturday when she went there that she would sweat up or be nervous in way,” Waller said.

“She just had a very quiet canter, one lap, she was great, recovery was good, this morning she just had a very quiet canter this morning and she’s bouncing, she really is, she had a very thorough trot up yesterday with Racing Victoria and passed them with flying colours.”

Tuesday incident aside, reigning back-to-back Cox Plate winner McDonald has been thrilled with Via Sistina’s progress.

McDonald also drew comparisons to Romantic Warrior last year.

“He was a bull at a gate and he took so much improvement from the Turnbull,” McDonald said.

“You have a look at this mare, she’s probably done the same.

“The form out of the Turnbull is brilliant … I was happy to see Buckaroo run so well (in the Caulfield Cup) and Duke De Sessa win as well.”

Trainer Chris Waller was all smiles at Flemington trackwork on Friday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

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Via Sistina is a $4 second favourite with Ladbrokes behind only Japanese raider Prognosis ($3.70).

Pride Of Jenni ($4.60), Broadsiding ($6.50) and Mr Brightside ($8.50) round out the top five.

Big bets with Ladbrokes including $5000 each-way on Mr Brightside at $8.50/$2.35 and $5000 place only.

The bookmaker said Via Sistina has been a steady market mover, $5.50 into $4, including support by “one of our sharpest clients”

Godolphin trainer James Cummings was “full of anticipation” on Friday about Broadsiding.

“It’s not a race I’m going to beat my chest about being confident,” 2022 Cox Plate-winning trainer Cummings said.

“It’s too hard a race really but we’re certainly delighted with the way Broadsiding is and it’s the ultimate test for him this spring.”

RV vets on Friday reported UK import Docklands must be reinspected on Saturday “due to a change in the horse’s gait”.

A late gear change has also been approved by stewards, with an equicast being placed on the horse’s left front foot.

Pride Of Jenni will be reinspected upon arrival at The Valley on Saturday after her initial trot up, which she passed, was done without plates on.

Originally published as Champion trainer Chris Waller gives Via Sistina thumbs up to start in Cox Plate