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Red Cadeaux pulls through Melbourne Cup injury

TRACK legend Red Cadeaux is reportedly recovering well after surgery, with reports indicating the leg injury is not life-threatening.

Jai Bednall and Dan Elsom
3 min read
November 4, 2015 - 12:18PM
Red Cadeaux ‘alive and well’
Red Cadeaux ‘alive and well’

REPORTS indicate Red Cadeaux is “alive and well” and appears to have been stabilised after undergoing surgery for a leg injury sustained during the Melbourne Cup.

The 10-year-old marvel pulled up during Race 7 at Flemington and limped off the track. Veterinary staff placed its leg in a splint before rushing it to the Werribee veterinary clinic, where its was successfully operated on.

Prior to the gelding undergoing surgery, Racing Victoria’s Dr Brian Stewart confirmed the horse suffered a suspected injury to its fetlock — a joint just above the hoof that is comparable to the ankle in humans.

“An update on the horse’s condition will be provided once known,” he said in a statement.

However it now seems the horse will survive the injury, provided its condition continues to improve.

Trainer Ed Dunlop told ABC Grandstand things were looking up for his prized horse.

“He’s eating grass … he looks happy, has fluids, and it’s a bad injury but it should be repairable,” Dunlop said.

“We’ve discussed three or four times we were going to retire him and we haven’t retired him. All seemed very well with him but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.

“I thought [Red Cadeaux] was going to be put down. At this stage he hasn’t, he’s obviously immediately retired. If the guys do their job, he’ll have a very happy retirement.”

Dunlop posted a photo of the horse to his Twitter account on Wednesday, showing the gelding was improving in condition.

Ridden by French jockey Gerald Mosse, the British stayer has amassed career prizemoney of more than $8 million while racing all over the world.

Channel 7 commentator Jason Richardson spoke to Dunlop as Red Cadeaux was leaving Flemington. “Ed was absolutely devastated,” Richardson said. “This is his favourite animal. It’s maybe Australia’s most favourite animal.”

Mosse said: “I have nothing to say.”

Red Cadeaux jockey Gerald Mosse was devastated post race. Picture: AP Photo/Andy Brownbill
Red Cadeaux jockey Gerald Mosse was devastated post race. Picture: AP Photo/Andy Brownbill

The gelding was contesting its fifth Melbourne Cup — a record for an international horse.

It had previously finished second three times in Australia’s most famous race — including a photo finish to Dunaden in 2011 — to earn a reputation as the most successful bridesmaid in racing history.

Its runner-up finishes in the Melbourne Cup in 2011, 2013 and 2014 added to second-placed finishes at the Dubai World Cup and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Red Cadeaux’s owner, Chinese businessman Ronald Arculli, was quoted as saying “it’s not looking good” when asked about the horse’s health immediately after the race.

Red Cadeaux is attended to after failing to finish the Melbourne Cup.
Red Cadeaux is attended to after failing to finish the Melbourne Cup.
Officials shield Red Cadeaux from the view of racegoers.
Officials shield Red Cadeaux from the view of racegoers.
Red Cadeaux is loaded into an ambulance.
Red Cadeaux is loaded into an ambulance.

The sad turn of events follows the death of two horses shortly after last year’s Melbourne Cup. Pre-race favourite Admire Rakti died from cardiac arrest before another horse, Araldo, was euthanised after shattering a hind leg after being frightened by a spectator after the race.

Following a review sparked by Araldo’s accident, the Victoria Racing Club moved to address congestion in the horse walk, which horses use to return to the mounting yard after they race.

Animal welfare advocates continued to campaign around the use of the whip in the lead-up to this year’s race, which also saw protesters disrupt the start when they attempted to handcuff themselves to the rail.

Protesters handcuff themselves to the inside rail before the start of the race.
Protesters handcuff themselves to the inside rail before the start of the race.

The worrying circumstances surrounding Red Cadeaux left racegoers in a conflicted mood after Michelle Payne became the first female jockey in history to win the race on Prince of Penzance.

Payne steered the unfancied ride to break away from the field at the 150m mark before exploding to a comfortable win.

In one of the biggest upsets in Australian sport, Prince of Penzance was considered a $100 shot with TAB before the race after drawing barrier one.

“Unbelievable. I laid in bed last night and gave myself some time to think and dream about what it would be like to be here,” Payne said.

“It’s a dream come true. This horse is awesome, everything he’s been through.

“Far out I didn’t think he’d be that strong. He was towing me into the straight.”

Originally published as Red Cadeaux pulls through Melbourne Cup injury

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/grave-fears-held-for-melbourne-cup-runner-red-cadeaux/news-story/1829cc496e03986a4cf508fbdd3520bd