While we’ve been looking at how some of the main contenders are doing for the 2023 Melbourne Cup, the worry over veterinary scanning continues.
Now, top trainer Chris Waller has said he will start scanning his own horses. He is doing this, it seems, out of fear that Racing Victoria’s mandatory CT scans have major effects on horses and on this famous race.
Not only can the scans lead to big contenders not arriving to Melbourne, but that they may also end the careers of some horses even when they are fit to race.
Scans to Help Show Difference Between Old and New Injuries
Controversially, all overseas runners entering Victoria must have CT scans. They are joined by all Melbourne Cup nominees also. This has led to horses being scratched and trainers and vets from abroad being furious.
Now Waller will begin running preliminary scans. The 2021 winner with Verry Elleegant is looking to put together a profile of each horse. This will include their current minor injuries and any imperfections.
Doing this will mean the trainer can show officials any differences between pre-existing injuries and new problems. This can only be a good thing, but will RV listen?
Waller is hoping that such a profile for each horse may help eliminate what should be unnecessary scratchings close to post time in the Cup. Durston, for example, was scratched last year with Waller and others believing that the Caulfield Cup winner was perfectly sound.
In the case of Durston, his omission from the Melbourne Cup was based on veterinary advice. This after one of the controversial CT scans showed a blemish on his distal limbs.
That, according to the vets, put the horse at risk of injury. His trainer however fully believed him to be fit and sound.
Gold Trip, who Durston beat at Caulfield, was himself scratched from the 2021 Melbourne Cup because of lameness. Again, trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace disputed this. He went on to win the Cup in 2022.
What we don’t know yet is how RC vets will react. Will international horses also pre-scan, and will RV officials care that proof can be shown of any blemishes and imperfections?
Though concerns have erstwhile fallen on deaf ears, not only Waller but big-time owner John O’Neill has said that very valuable and talented horses may not be nominated for future Melbourne Cups. This could harm the Cup’s future with overseas horses in particular heading instead for an $8 million race in Sydney for the gallopers.
Is Sydney Providing Cup Clues?
The news that William Haggas’ Earl Of Tyrone will miss the Sydney Cup is a blow to the Newmarket team.
We’re a long way out from providing accurate Melbourne Cup tips, but the Autumn Racing Carnival has been informative.
Anamoe has been successful once again, heading to the Queen Elizabeth next. Could the Godolphin team be tempted with a Cup run? Time will tell.
Read more news about the Melbourne Cup.
