- Racing Victoria vets withdrew two runners from the Melbourne Cup
- Follows the withdrawal of rising Irish stayer Jan Brueghel
Busuttin Stables representatives are furious after Racing Victoria vets controversially ruled out two of their competitors ahead of Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
Muramasa and Brayden Star were both withdrawn by RV, who felt the remainers were at ‘increased risk of injury’ if they competed in the 3200m feature race at Flemington.
The development follows the fact that European top member Jan Brueghel is also withdrawn, much to the frustration of top trainer Aidan O’Brien.
In addition, Cox Plate winner Via Sistina was withdrawn by trainer Chris Waller.
“(We) welcome the processes put in place by Racing Victoria… however there is no sugar coating it, our team is very disappointed as outwardly our horse has never been happier, healthy and in top form,” a statement said. from the Busuttin-Young stable, read in relation to Brayden Star.
“To be told that we are no longer eligible for the Cup because ‘there may be a shadow that could develop into a stress fracture in the future’ is mind-boggling.”
Decorated Irish trainer O’Brien also did not mince his words.
His own vets looked at the scans and declared ‘they were fine’ – but Australian vets disagreed.
Busuttin Stables representatives are furious after Racing Victoria vets ruled out two of their competitors – including Brayden Star (pictured) – ahead of Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup
Decorated Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien was also left perplexed after Irish stayer Jan Brueghel was withdrawn by Racing Victoria
‘Most scans are a vision or an opinion. He [Jan Brueghel] did the most rigorous scans he could undergo and he went through them. He had another scan in the last few days and has never trotted or moved better,” said a seething O’Brien.
Given the four-year-old is unbeaten in four starts – and won the Group 1 Army Stakes in England in September – O’Brien knows a chance to win Australia’s biggest race may have been taken away by Racing Victoria’s vets.
“It’s absolutely devastating,” O’Brien added. He would have it [elite jockey] Ryan Moore rode him, and he got better every race.
‘She [Racing Victoria] made the decision and our vets disagreed.
‘They said there was a shadow in front and a shadow in the back (in his leg bones), but every three-year-old has shadows and cracks at this time of year.
‘There comes a point when it becomes ridiculous: the riders and women are taken out of the picture. In this part of the world, the riders decide.”
The Melbourne Cup has seen six fatalities in the past decade, including O’Brien’s 2019 Epsom Derby hero Anthony van Dyck.
On Saturday afternoon, the top 24 horses will be confirmed in order of entry, ahead of the cross-country race.