An injury cloud has fallen over three potential Melbourne Cup starters, with Spanish Mission, The Chosen One and Delphi all needing to be passed on Friday in order to run in the Flemington feature.
Both of The Chosen One and Delphi come through runs in both the Herbert Power Stakes and Caulfield Cup, while Spanish Mission is scheduled to have his first Australian start in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
Trained by Andrew Balding, Spanish Mission is the current $7.50 second favourite to Incentivise in the two-mile handicap, but he will have to overcome swelling in his right foreleg.
When Spanish Mission took it to Stradivarius… Is he your Melbourne Cup pick?pic.twitter.com/KyHboVJCnV
— TAB (@tabcomau) October 28, 2021
“Racing Victoria veterinarians have today inspected 25 of the 29 horses that remain in contention for a start in the $8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup to determine their suitability to accept at Saturday’s 4:30pm AEDT deadline,” a statement from Racing Victoria (RV) read.
“A total of 22 horses were passed suitable to accept with three horses to undergo re-examination by RV veterinarians tomorrow.
“Spanish Mission will be re-examined after it presented with swelling in its right foreleg. The stable veterinarian has since assessed the horse and no significant abnormality has been detected.
“The Chosen One will be re-examined as a precaution due to mild lameness in its right foreleg. The stable farrier will be attending to the horse in the interim.
“Delphi will be re-examined after presenting with mild lameness in its left foreleg.”
The news has seen Spanish Mission drift from $5.50 out to $7.50, while Dephi and The Chosen One are now $34 and $61 respectively.
The field for the Melbourne Cup will be finalised at 4:30pm AEDT on Saturday, and the barrier draw will follow soon after.
