One of the early favourites for this year’s 2024 Melbourne Cup has been ruled out with connections left devastated that European raider Jan Brueghel won’t line-up on the first Tuesday of November.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Irish visitor was immediately withdrawn from the Group 1 $8.56 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Racing Victoria vets ruled him unfit to run during a Tuesday morning examination.
An unbeaten son of Galileo, the entire was last seen winning the Doncaster St. Leger and was rated an $8 chance in Melbourne Cup betting online at Ladbrokes.com.au at the time of his withdrawal.
The horse, who was being put through lightwork at Werribee only a few hours before the call was made, underwent scans over the weekend along with the other international Melbourne Cup contenders.
It was the results from that CT scan that prompted the major decision by the RV vets.
“Reports received from an expert of internationally renowned equine surgeons and diagnostic imaging specialists, who reviewed Jan Brueghel’s CT scan results, indicate that the horse is currently at heightened risk of injury,” a Racing Victoria statement read.
“Following advice from RV Veterinary Services in relation to the specialist opinions from the independent imaging , RV Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Jan Brueghel from the Melbourne Cup on the basis that he was unsuitable to compete.”
Star English hoop Ryan Moore was booked to ride Jan Brueghel in the Cup leaving him without a contender for the November 5 classic.
“We’ve learned this morning that Jan Brueghel won’t be taking his place in the Melbourne Cup this year,” Coolmore’s Tom Magnier told SEN Track.
“He went through all the protocols in Ireland before departing to come down here. The lads have been very happy with the horse, he’s been bouncing out there in quarantine (at Werribee).
“But the vets have come up with the decision that has been made that he doesn’t the veterinary inspection to run in the Melbourne Cup.
“We’re very disappointed. Obviously I’m extremely disappointed for the staff, all our team that have put in so much work both at home, travelling down and getting him here. I really feel for them because they were excited about this.
“But at the end of the day at Coolmore the horse comes first. A decision has been made and that’s that.”
Updated all-in Melbourne Cup 2024 odds have the Chris Waller-trained Caulfield Cup runner-up Buckaroo as the $5 co-favourite with Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator.
The official 2024 Melbourne Cup field and barrier draw will be announced on Racing.com post-Derby Day racing this Saturday.
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