Racing authorities resolve Cup names issue
Confusion surrounding two Melbourne Cup runners has ended with Racing Australia allowing Yucatan and Sound Check to run under their original names at Flemington.
In a statement on Tuesday, Racing Australia said as both horses had competed in Australia under those names they can keep them when they line up in next Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
Yucatan won the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 13, elevating him to Melbourne Cup favourite while Sound Check ran in the Caulfield Cup the following week.
As horses were already registered to race in Australia with those names, Yucatan Ire and Sound were approved for the Melbourne Cup before Tuesday’s decision.
A review to be held in December by the Racing Australia Board will consider adopting the international practice where a suffix is attached to the name of any imported racehorse which shares the name of a local thoroughbred.
“As both horses have already competed in Australia this season under their original names, and recognising the Melbourne Cup is broadcast globally, the standard naming practices will not be applied in this instance,” the statement said.
“Traditionally international racehorses coming to Australia, temporarily or permanently, have been required to change their names where the name is also registered to an Australian racehorse.
“The intent of this practice has been to avoid confusion to punters, race callers and administrators.
“In the current situation, as Yucatan and Sound Check have already competed under their original names in the Herbert Power and Caulfield Cup, punters are unlikely to be confused.”
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