Via Sistina brings back memories of Rangirangdoo after throwing off jockey James McDonald during Cox Plate gallop The Valley

This wasn’t the first time Chris Waller had a horse dump a jockey before a Cox Plate meeting jockey, and all isn’t necessarily lost for Via Sistina this weekend.

Former champion jockey Corey Brown has backed master trainer Chris Waller to recharge Cox Plate contender Via Sistina in time for Australia’s best race on Saturday at The Valley.

Meticulous plans for Via Sistina were derailed on Tuesday in a freak track gallop incident at The Valley when strapping tape on her front leg unravelled and got caught on the hind plate.

Via Sistina got a fright from the bandage flapping, took an awkward stride around the home bend at the end of the planned piece of work and dislodged jockey James McDonald.

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She completed another two laps riderless but pulled up safe and sound.

Remarkably, Waller experienced a similar incident in 2009 when Rangirangdoo, a Cox Plate hopeful at the time, unseated Brown after a Breakfast with the Best gallop.

Waller skipped the Cox Plate for the Crystal Mile, which “Rangi” won in track record time.

Brown received a text from Waller on Tuesday morning: “Repeat of Rangirangdoo.”

James McDonald is thrown off Via Sistina during a trackwork gallop at The Valley on Tuesday morning. Picture: Michael Klein

The dual Melbourne Cup-winner Brown said Waller is capable of an “amazing training feat” after such a setback.

“You know what Waller is like, he can do anything,” Brown said.

“It will be an amazing training feat if she does get there.

“I’m not going to say it’s not the end of the world, because you don’t want that going into the Cox Plate, especially your last major gallop.

“It might be a little omen, if Rangi could do it, it might work for her.

“If she’s pulled up well and her heart rate has gone back to somewhat normal, I wouldn’t hesitate (running in the Cox Plate), just give her a light week, Chris knows what he’s doing.”

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The Via Sistina incident triggered Brown’s memory of Rangirangdoo at The Valley.

“Old Rangi used to be the worst shying horse and he got everyone that ever rode him and I used to always vouch he’s not going to get me,” Brown said.

“Not that I’d ridden him in a lot of track, anyway, he got me and it was in front, as you could imagine, everyone at Moonee Valley after the post in his gallop.

“I remember it vividly, it wasn’t even really a shy, he stepped and got me unbalanced and tilted me off, He didn’t do three laps like Via Sistina did this morning.

“He just galloped down the back, he was an old timer and pulled up and did his own thing.

“She’s (Via Sistina) fit, I’m not saying I wouldn’t be concerned, it’s definitely not ideal but it could’ve been worse, it could’ve been Thursday.”

Originally published as Via Sistina brings back memories of Rangirangdoo after throwing off jockey James McDonald during Cox Plate gallop The Valley