Star apprentice Zac Lloyd will go without a ride in Tuesday’s 2024 Melbourne Cup field after Athabascan was ruled out of the event on Monday afternoon.
Adding to the high attrition rate of this year’s Group 1 $8.56 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) is the first official scratching post-acceptances with the John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained Almanzor gelding Athabascan withdrawn.
Racing Victoria vets deemed the six-year-old, who was last seen winning Randwick’s St Leger over 2600m on October 19, had an increased risk of a cardiac episode after he was examined during a final, mandatory veterinary examination on Monday.
All 24 Melbourne Cup final acceptors were inspected by the team of RV vets with Almanzor the sole contender not to be passed fit to run when he was found to be suffering from cardiac arrhythmia.
He was rated around $41 in the Melbourne Cup odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au at the time of his removal from the field.
Three independent experts examined the ECG reports and blood test results for the galloper before the decision was finalised.
“They each independently advised that, due to the nature of the cardiac arrhythmia, Athabascan should undergo further extensive testing before being permitted to race again on the grounds of safety,” the official RV report stated.
“Acting on these opinions and having considered additional material provided by the stable, RV veterinarians advised the stewards that in their view the horse should be withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup due to an increased risk of a cardiac episode.
“Accordingly, the stewards acting on veterinary advice, ordered the withdrawal of Athabascan.
“The remaining 23 horses have been passed suitable to race tomorrow.”
There are now 23 Melbourne Cup horses still in contention.
Updated Melbourne Cup betting has Irish raider Vauban returning after an unplaced run as the beaten favourite last year and Chris Waller‘s Caulfield Cup runner-up Buckaroo as the equal $7 top elects.
The 2024 Melbourne Cup runs as Flemington Race 7 at 3:00pm (AEDT) on Tuesday.
Melbourne Cup 2024 Odds & Results
Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1)
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
11. Knight's Choice (5)
J: Robbie Dolan 51.5kg
T: J G Symons & S Laxon |
||
|
2nd
4. Warp Speed (2)
J: Akira Sugawara 54.5kg
T: N Takagi |
||
|
3rd
12. Okita Soushi (9)
J: Jamie Kah 51kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
|
4th
14. Zardozi (3)
J: Andrea Atzeni 51kg
T: James Cummings |
||
|
5th
9. Absurde (6)
J: Kerrin McEvoy 52.5kg
T: Willie Mullins |
||
|
6th
3. Circle Of Fire (23)
J: Mark Zahra 54.5kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
|
7th
17. Fancy Man (18)
J: Ron Stewart 50kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
||
|
8th
8. Land Legend (17)
J: Zac Purton 53kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
9th
2. Buckaroo (20)
J: Joao Moreira 54.5kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
10th
5. Kovalica (16)
J: Damian Lane 53.5kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
11th
1. Vauban (10)
J: William Buick 55.5kg
T: Willie Mullins |
||
|
12th
13. Onesmoothoperator (11)
J: Craig Williams 51kg
T: Brian Ellison |
||
|
13th
16. Valiant King (21)
J: Craig Newitt 50.5kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
14th
15. Sea King (1)
J: Hollie Doyle 50.5kg
T: Harry Eustace |
||
|
15th
18. Interpretation (13)
J: Teodore Nugent 50kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
|
16th
6. Sharp 'N' Smart (14)
J: Michael Dee 53.5kg
T: Graeme & Debbie Rogerson |
||
|
17th
24. Trust In You (4)
J: Mark Du Plessis 50kg
T: Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley |
||
|
18th
20. Mostly Cloudy (15)
J: Karis Teetan 50kg
T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
||
|
19th
19. Manzoice (7)
J: Declan Bates 50kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
20th
21. Positivity (19)
J: Winona Costin 50kg
T: Andrew Forsman |
||
|
21st
23. The Map (22)
J: Rachel King 50kg
T: Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray |
||
|
22nd
22. Saint George (8)
J: Tyler Schiller 50kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
|
23rd
7. Just Fine (12)
J: Jye McNeil 53kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
Data retrieved: 22/12/2024 07:23:19 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
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