Victorian racing vets scratch another international horse

Image: Racing and Sports

New Zealand’s Melbourne Cup contender Mahrajaan has been withdrawn from the race due to a scan failure, Racing Victoria stewards announced on Derby Day, shortly before the Cup entry deadline.

The Sean Ritchie-trained stayer, who was due to be ridden by jockey Declan Bates, joins a growing list of horses withdrawn from competition due to scan results, including former favorite Jan Brueghel, as well as Muramasa and Braden Star.

Mission of Love, coached by Sheila Lacson and John Simons, was also eliminated on Friday. Meanwhile, horses Interpretation and Onesmoothoperator were cleared to race after undergoing secondary veterinary examinations on Saturday morning.

Regarding Mahrajaan’s withdrawal, Racing Victoria stewards explained: “The independent imaging panel considered the horse to be at increased risk of injury based on the CT scan results.”

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