Irish Hopes May Falter as Melbourne Cup Pre-Race Vet Checks Intensify

As the Melbourne Cup approaches, concerns are rising over the potential impact of pre-race veterinary checks on Ireland’s chances for victory. Two Irish horses are facing critical examinations that will determine their eligibility for the prestigious race.

Irish Horses Under Scrutiny

The horses in question are Absurde and Goodie Two Shoes. Both will undergo further evaluations to see if they can participate in the upcoming race on Tuesday. Goodie Two Shoes, owned by JP McManus and trained by Joseph O’Brien, failed initial vet checks but will face a final assessment on Saturday.

Absurde, trained by Willie Mullins, is also scheduled for a re-examination. These veterinary checks are significant as both horses need to clear them to avoid a disappointing trip to Australia.

Stringent Vet Checks in Place

• Racing Victoria has implemented strict vet checks to enhance safety standards.
• These measures follow a series of injuries that raised public concern about the event’s safety.
• Notably, Anthony Van Dyck, trained by Aidan O’Brien, was euthanized during the race in 2020.

Previous Incidents and Reactions

Last year, Aidan O’Brien’s St Leger winner, Jan Brueghel, failed a pre-race test. O’Brien referred to the checks as excessive, highlighting that horse assessments can often yield subjective interpretations.

This year, he is not represented, and there are reports suggesting that this season’s St Leger winner, Scandinavia, may have also failed initial veterinary checks. O’Brien remarked on the unpredictability of scans and called the situation “a little bit ridiculous.”

Melbourne Cup Details

Absurde has competed in the Melbourne Cup twice, achieving finishes of seventh and fifth in previous years. Meanwhile, Joseph O’Brien has experienced success in the event, winning twice with Rekindling in 2017 and Twilight Payment in 2020.

Odds and Final Preparations

The final field, including the crucial barrier draw, will be announced on Saturday. Currently, Al Riffa is considered an 11-2 favorite, trailing behind joint-favorites Half Yours and Valiant King.

The Melbourne Cup, often referred to as the race that stops a nation, carries a prize purse of Aus$10 million. As race day approaches, all eyes are on the veterinary assessments that could shape the outcome for these Irish contenders.