‘Disappointing’ issue throws Melbourne Cup preparation into turmoil

The Melbourne Cup has been thrown into chaos amid a logisitical nightmare, just a week out from the race that stops the nation.

Preparations for the Melbourne Cup have been thrown into chaos just one week out from the race that stops the nation.

Following several fatalities in the race in recent years, a strict new system had been introduced in an effort to avoid any horses getting injured or dying in the race.

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But those plans have been disrupted after the CT scanner at Werribbee, the machine used to check a horse’s fitness and detect any unknown injuries, broke down.

Only 19 out of the 35 fourth acceptors for the Melbourne Cup had been scanned by the device, meaning 16 of the final acceptors for the race have not yet been examined.

Racing Victoria is working with the manufacturer to find a replacement part for the CT scanner from the US, but there is no guarantee it will arrive in time given the impacts of Covid on international postage.

The timing couldn’t be worse, given the biggest horse race in Australia is scheduled for next Tuesday November 2.

Racing Victoria hopes to have the machine back up and running by Thursday but as a back-up plan, it is requiring the horses who have not yet been examined to present to Werribee’s U-Vet clinic on Tuesday or Wednesday for “comprehensive high-quality X-rays of their distal limbs”.

Melbourne Cup organisers are working overtime to ensure a safe race. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images for the VRC)

The executive general manager of integrity services at Racing Victoria, Jamie Stier, said the situation was far from ideal.

“Since its installation two years ago, U-Vet advise that the standing CT scanner has examined over 200 horses, and this is the first time it’s had a mechanical issue so the timing is both unfortunate and disappointing,” he said.

“We are taking a pragmatic approach to the situation. All Melbourne Cup acceptors will still be subjected to increased and unprecedented veterinary scrutiny using alternative diagnostic imaging at U-Vet before being cleared to start in next Tuesday’s race.

“Whilst our preference remains to use the technology offered by the standing CT scanner, in its temporary absence we know that the X-rays taken at U-Vet will provide us with improved oversight of the remaining horses, particularly in comparison to previous years, and help to identify any areas that require further examination.

“This was deemed the fairest and most appropriate decision in the circumstances so as not to penalise the connections of those horses who had not been submitted for a standing CT scan since 16 October by excluding them from the race.”

Young Werther won’t race in the Melbourne Cup after failing a CT scan. (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Two horses have been ruled out of the Melbourne Cup after failing their CT scanner tests.

Young Werther was considered one of the fancies for the race but trainer Danny O’Brien will not be running in the Cup.

“Young Werther’s CT scan has highlighted an area of concern & he will not be running in the Melb Cup,” O’Brien tweeted.

“It’s disappointing news, but we fully support the RVL protocols,” the tweet read.

Harpo Marx has also been scratched from the Melbourne Cup following concerns about his CT scan results.