Comment: International bluster about Melbourne Cup screening all hot air

The internationals blinked. Let’s call a spade a shovel.

The prestige and prizemoney of the Melbourne Cup prevailed over negativity and bluster about the new veterinary screening and conditions imposed on Europeans raiders.

For months we heard about boycotts but when push came to shove and Cup nominations closed at midday August 3 there were 174 entries for the Cup, including 15 overseas.

A pleasant surprise to those inside RV and Victoria Racing Club offices — despite the corresponding figure last year being 174 and 30 — for good reason too.

Not only has the aura of the Cup drawn the regulars back, including Joseph O’Brien, Charlie Fellowes and Willie Mullins but also spring debutants Ismail Mohammed, Martyn Meade and David Simcock.

Two-time Cup winner O’Brien boasts a multi-pronged attack, courtesy of the Lloyd and Nick Williams connection, including the second favourite Dawn Patrol, a $15 chance with TAB.

Fellowes, who remains opposed to the new rules he branded a “disaster” previously, holds an entry for out-of-form Prince Of Arran.

However, the popular three-time Cup placegetter must first overcome a “proper D-Day” next month at Kempton to warrant potentially racing on, let alone travelling abroad.

Others to nominate include Hughie Morrison, who lashed RV vets in 2019 after Marmelo was scratched on veterinary advice, and Johnny Murtagh, a card-carrying Cup lover who saddled up two runners in 2014.

It begs the question: Was the threat of a snub overblown? Absolutely.

Prince Of Arran has again been nominated for the Melbourne Cup despite trainer Charlie Fellowes concerns over the new vet rules. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Horses seen to be good enough for a Cup tilt will get their chance — pending relevant checks and measures.

The absentees, albeit high profile, could be written on the back of a postage stamp.

Aidan O’Brien made good on a warning in June at Royal Ascot that it would be “too difficult” to send horses to Melbourne this year and nominated none.

He supplied nine of the 30 “overseas” horses last year.

It’s unfortunate the world’s best trainer will not be represented, but the show must and will go on.

Credit to RV and the VRC for standing by recommendations of the review into Cup deaths after Anthony Van Dyck last year became the seventh casualty in as many years.

Most notably the compulsory but contentious full body scan — a scintigraphy — required for Cup runners.

Will the advanced scanning guarantee all 24 Cup starters get through unscathed?

Of course not.

Horses can and will on occasion sustain catastrophic injuries.

It could happen in a stable, in trackwork and, unfortunately, on racedays.

For all good intentions — to reduce the risk of Cup deaths — something could easily go amiss on the first Tuesday in November.

We can only hope not.

Originally published asCup pride, prestige outweighs scan scaremongering

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