2024 Melbourne Cup: Athabascan scratched due to cardiac issue
Racing Victoria (RV) veterinarians today completed their second round of pre-race physical veterinary inspections of all starters in tomorrow’s $8.56 million 2024 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Upon examination by RV veterinarians, the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Athabascan was found to have a cardiac arrhythmia.
ECG reports and the results of blood tests were then forwarded to three independent experts specialising in equine internal medicine, including cardiology.
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.
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material provided by the stable, RV veterinarians advised the Stewards that in their view the horse should be withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup due to an increased risk of a cardiac episode.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.
2024 Melbourne Cup field & odds
| No. | Silks | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Vauban | Willie Mullins | William Buick | 11 | 55.5kg | +600 |
| 2 |  |
Buckaroo | Chris Walle | Joao Moreira | 21 | 54.5kg | +600 |
| 3 |  |
Circle Of Fire | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 24 | 54.5kg | +2500 |
| 4 |  |
Warp Speed | Noboru Takagi | Akira Sugawara | 3 | 54.5kg | +3000 |
| 5 |  |
Kovalica | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 17 | 53.5kg | +2200 |
| 6 |  |
Sharp ‘N’ Smart | Graeme & Deborah Rogerson | Michael Dee | 15 | 53.5kg | +4000 |
| 7 |  |
Just Fine | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jye McNeil | 13 | 53kg | +5000 |
| 8 |  |
Land Legend | Chris Waller | Zac Purton | 18 | 53kg | +1100 |
| 9 |  |
Absurde | Willie Mullins | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 52.5kg | +1000 |
| 10 |  |
Athabascan | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | Zac Lloyd | 2 | 52kg | +6000 |
| 11 |  |
Knight’s Choice | John Symons & Sheila Laxon | Robbie Dolan | 6 | 51.5kg | +10000 |
| 12 |  |
Okita Soushi | Ciaron Maher | Jamie Kah | 10 | 51kg | +1200 |
| 13 |  |
Onesmoothoperator | Brian Ellison | Craig Williams | 12 | 51kg | +750 |
| 14 |  |
Zardozi | James Cummings | Andrea Atzeni | 4 | 51kg | +900 |
| 15 |  |
Sea King | Harry Eustace | Hollie Doyle | 1 | 50.5kg | +1300 |
| 16 |  |
Valiant King | Chris Waller | Craig Newitt | 22 | 50.5kg | +10000 |
| 17 |  |
Fancy Man | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Ron Stewart | 19 | 50kg | +10000 |
| 18 |  |
Interpretation | Ciaron Maher | Teo Nugent | 14 | 50kg | +1700 |
| 19 |  |
Manzoice | Chris Waller | Declan Bates | 8 | 50kg | +10000 |
| 20 |  |
Mostly Cloudy | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Karis Teetan | 16 | 50kg | +8000 |
| 21 |  |
Positivity | Andrew Forsman | Winona Costin | 20 | 50kg | +10000 |
| 22 |  |
Saint George | Ciaron Maher | Tyler Schiller | 9 | 50kg | +2500 |
| 23 |  |
The Map | Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray | Rachel King | 23 | 50kg | +5000 |
| 24 |  |
Trust In You | Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley | Mark Du Plessis | 5 | 50kg | +10000 |