Horse racing: Mahrajan’s cup dream comes true

The New Zealand contingent competing in Tuesday’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) was dealt a blow when Mahrajaan withdrew from the event on veterinarian advice.

The Sean Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained gelding earned his chance at the A$8.5 million prize thanks to his wins last season in the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) and Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m), but Racing stewards Victoria ruled him out after their independent imaging panel found the seven-year-old was at increased risk of injury.

“Obviously it’s a big disappointment for us and the owners,” Ritchie said. “Who doesn’t want a Melbourne Cup runner? And we know our horse runs two miles with confidence, so it’s hard to swallow.

“But we are philosophical and respect the decision of the veterinarians. At the end of the day, we are horse lovers first and foremost and want our horse to be safe and healthy.

“I’ll come back on Monday and they’ll tell me the imaging results and the exact reasons for their decision. Apparently they found a small problem in the sesamoid bone that had not been detected on X-rays we had taken of the horse in the past. Their rendering is very high-tech and thorough, so this will be a good opportunity for me to see all the bells and whistles they have. This will give me a better understanding and if we come back next year we will have a little more information.