Of the 35 horses still in Melbourne Cup contention, 19 require x-rays to pass veterinary examinations after the standing CT scanner has been shut down.
A mechanical issue has temporarily shut down the operation of the standing CT scanner resulting in a number of Melbourne Cup entrants being unable to be scanned.
A total of 19 of the 35 fourth acceptors for the Melbourne Cup on Monday had been presented for their standing CT scans as required under the conditions for the Group 1 race at Flemington on November 2.
Racing Victoria is working with U-Vet Equine Centre and the manufacturers of the standing CT scanner to get a replacement part from the USA noting that COVID has impacted international travel.
The expectation is the scanner will not be operational before Thursday, the last day scans can be undertaken for the 2021 Melbourne Cup.
The RV Board met on Monday afternoon and determined to all those still requiring a standing CT scan to present to U-Vet for a high-quality X-rays on Tuesday or Wednesday.
This will allow the x-rays to be reviewed by three international imaging specialists and should the x-rays identify a concern, the horse may be required to undertake an MRI or standing CT if available.
Jamie Stier, RV Executive General Manager – Integrity Services, said over 200 horses had been examined since the installation of the scanner two years years ago and this had been the first issue.
“The timing is both unfortunate and disappointing,” Stier 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 October 16 by excluding them from the race.”
