The Chris Waller-trained Durston has been ruled out of the 2022 Melbourne Cup, a race he was expected to feature prominently in following his win in the Caulfield Cup.
Racing Victoria (RV) Veterinary Services have advised RV stewards that, in their opinion, Durston is unfit to compete in the 2022 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday, November 1.
In accordance with the conditions of the race, Durston was presented at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre in Werribee on Friday, October 21, for compulsory CT scans of his distal limbs.
Acting on the specialist advice received from the international imaging panel, the Waller stable was informed that Durston is not in sufficient shape to compete in Australia’s most famous race.
Racing Victoria’s decision means that Durston will not have the opportunity to complete the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double, which has not been done since Ethereal managed the feat in 2001.
Waller released a statement on Thursday morning and the sense of frustration was evident.
“It is extremely disappointing, however, according to Racing Victoria Durston’s scans show what’s called a ‘grey area’ and there is a small lesion in his left hind leg,” the statement read.
Despite his disappointment, Waller respected the decision and made note that safety comes first, for both the horse and the rider.
The decision has left three-time Melbourne Cup-winning hoop Damien Oliver without a mount for the race that stops the nation.
It is the second time within a month that Oliver has been left without a ride in the Melbourne Cup.
He was originally pencilled in to ride the Waller-trained Sheraz, but with that runner succumbing to injury the superstar hoop was quickly booked on Durston, with Caulfield Cup-winning jockey Michael Dee already committed to ride Lunar Flare on November 1.
Durston being removed from the Melbourne Cup order of entry sees Geelong Cup winner Emissary move up to no.23 in the ballot, with the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Realm Of Flowers (no.24) “on the bubble” ahead of the Archer Stakes (formerly The Hotham) at Flemington on Saturday.
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