Injury to galloper Rostropovich fuels fury of anti-racing group

Anti-racing protesters have seized on a suspected pelvic injury to Irish gelding Rostropovich during the Melbourne Cup.

Elio Celotto from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses pointed to the injury to Rostropovich to justify his group’s stance on the race.

Anti-racing protesters have seized on a suspected pelvic injury to four-year-old Irish gelding Rostropovich during the Melbourne Cup, saying horses are “pushed to breaking point” in the name of racing.

Trained by David Hayes, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Rostropovich ran last and has a suspected cracked pelvis.

“Rostropovich has pulled up with an injured pelvis,” their Lindsay Park Racing stable said in a Twitter post.

“The prognosis for a full recovery is good.”

Racing Victoria confirmed its stewards found Rostropovich lame after the race.

“After receiving veterinary care on course the horse has been transported to the University of Melbourne Equine Centre for further assessment,” Racing Victoria said.

This year’s race marked the lowest attendance at a Melbourne Cup since 1995, with a crowd of 81,408 turning up following days of wet weather and controversy over retired racehorses being brutalised before being slaughtered.

Metro Trains and Victoria Police spent $100,000 to tighten security for the race and help people arrive there smoothly, amid concerns over protests.

Elio Celotto from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses pointed to the injury to Rostropovich to justify his group’s stance on the race.

“We hold grave fears for Rostropovich because we know one racehorse dies every three days on Australian racetracks, with 122 horses killed in the last racing year,” Mr Celotto said.

“Rostropovich could become the seventh fatality in the Melbourne Cup in just seven years. Australian racing has already demonstrated clearly that horseracing kills. Both on the track as these magnificent animals are pushed to breaking point and at the doggers or abattoirs when no longer profitable.”

Mr Celotto’s group led the anti-racing protest outside the Flemington Racecourse.

Dozens of protesters held pictures of dead horses with “Is the party worth it?” written across them, while yelling “Nup to the cup” at punters.

They also organised a “human horse race” that ran at the same time as official Melbourne Cup day races, including the main event at 3pm, at Kensington Reserve.

The protests were peaceful. Police last week said they were concerned some of the aggressive elements from recent anti-mining protest would join the demonstration.

A police spokeswoman said there had been six arrests at the racecourse — four for drunkenness, one for drug possession and another on an outstanding warrant — while a drone was seized.