Racing Victoria (RV) veterinarians today began the first of two pre-race physical veterinary inspections of the 29 horses that remain in contention for a start in the $8.4 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington next Tuesday, 7 November.
This examination forms part of the veterinary protocols to determine each horse’s suitability to accept at Saturday’s (4 November) 4.30pm (AEDT) deadline.
In accordance with the race conditions, each of these 29 horses has presented for a CT scan of their distal limbs over the past fortnight and passed as suitable to proceed. The results of their scans were reviewed by an expert panel of internationally renowned equine surgeons and diagnostic imaging specialists.
When inspected today, the Chris Waller-trained Sheraz was moving well but had some heat in its right front leg. As a result, the gelding will be re-examined tomorrow.
All other 21 horses inspected today passed the initial physical examination.
The following horses will undergo their initial Lexus Melbourne Cup pre-race physical veterinary examination tomorrow:
- Absurde (Willie Mullins)
- Breakup (Tatsuya Yoshioka)
- Vauban (Willie Mullins)
- Lastotchka (Price & Kent Jnr)
- Valiant King (Joseph O’Brien)
- Okita Soushi (Joseph O’Brien)
- More Felons (Chris Waller)
A further update will be provided tomorrow (3 November) once the remaining inspections have been completed.
The Melbourne Cup entrants that contest Saturday’s Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington will be re-examined by RV veterinarians following the race to re-confirm their suitability to accept later that afternoon.
A second pre-race veterinary inspection of all horses in the final field will be conducted by a panel of RV veterinarians on Monday, 6 November 2023.