Wild scenes at Moonee Valley as Cox Plate contender Via Sistina dumps jockey and bolts

There was high drama at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Tuesday morning when top Cox Plate contender Via Sistina dropped star jockey James McDonald and took off for another two laps.

The incident happened at the Breakfast with the Best session and now there are fears that the second favourite may not take her place in the $5 million race on Saturday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Riderless Via Sistina runs loose at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

Via Sistina became startled after a bandage became loose and some broken gear got caught on her back leg. She unseated McDonald on the home bend and then ran riderless before she was caught on the back straight.

“We’ll accept for Saturday and use all that time, right up until Saturday morning, to make sure everyone is happy,” trainer Chris Waller said.

“The horse is 100 per cent 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 per cent.

“She’s had a more than expected work out this morning, but in terms of how she is, she’s recovered really well.

“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.”

Waller explained what happened.

“It’s live sport and working with animals, what can happen in training (is) the good and bad,” Waller said.

“A bandage has come loose, she’s stood on the bandage and then a piece of gear has broken and sort of tripped, that piece of gear has got caught up in her back leg and that’s given her a fright and she’s run on fair for a couple of laps.

“She’s settled down now … she doesn’t have a hair missing, there’s no blood, no skin off, our vet looked at her and the Racing Victoria vet, our vet has been over her thoroughly and I’ve been over her as well.

“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 per cent.”

Via Sistina remains the third favourite in the nine-horse field and drew barrier No.4.

Japanese raider Prognosis is the favourite and will jump from gate No.5, while Pride Of Jenni drew barrier No.7.