Where Are The Melbourne Cup Horses From

It takes a special horse to come off a Melbourne Cup preparation and return to win a weight-for-age sprint but Verry Elleegant might just be good enough to do it. That is the mindset trainer Chris Waller is adopting ahead of the mare’s resumption in Saturday’s Group Two Apollo Stakes (1400m) at. International stayer and Australian cult horse Prince Of Arran’s future racing career remains in doubt after the horse had another slow start and disappointing run in Saudi Arabia over the weekend. The globetrotting stayer has been placed in the past three Melbourne Cups and has become Australia.

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Once again a horse has suffered serious injury and been euthanised as the Melbourne Cup is marred by the loss of Anthony Van Dyck.

This year’s race was rocked by tragedy.Source:Supplied

Anthony Van Dyck has been euthanised after breaking down in the Melbourne Cup.

The horse was one of the favourites heading into the race that stops the nation but went lame on the straight, suffering a fractured fetlock.

Jockey Hugh Bowman immediately dismounted and Anthony Van Dyck’s strapper ran out onto the track to be with him as staff erected screens to shield the five-year-old from view.

The horse was loaded into an ambulance before being put down.

Anthony Van Dyck is the second horse in three years to die because of an injury sustained in the Melbourne Cup after Cliffsofmoher was euthanised in 2018. Both horses were trained by the same trainer, Aidan O’Brien.

Racing Victoria’s (RV) Executive General Manager of Integrity Services, Jamie Stier, confirmed Anthony Van Dyck’s death in a statement after the race.

“It is with sadness that we confirm that Anthony Van Dyck had to be humanely euthanised after sustaining a fractured fetlock during the running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington,” Stier said.

“The horse received immediate veterinary care, however he was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained.

“Our sympathies are extended to the owners of Anthony Van Dyck, trainer Aidan O’Brien and all his staff who cared for the horse and are greatly saddened by their loss.”

Stier explained a report will now be prepared by RV's Integrity Services team.

“The report will include the findings of a post-mortem which will now be conducted by the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and we expect it will be several weeks before we have a completed report for consideration,” he said.

The Victorian Racing Club released a statement offering its condolences to Anthony Van Dyck’s connections.

“We would like to thank the track and veterinary staff for their prompt and humane care of the horse,” the VRC said.

“The club remains totally committed to the welfare of all equine athletes and the ongoing focus on their wellbeing and will continue to work with the industry to understand the cause of this incident.”

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Jockey Hugh Bowman knew right away something was wrong.Source:News Corp Australia

Anthony Van Dyck is the seventh horse to die on Melbourne Cup day since 2013 and there has been a huge social media push against this year’s race, with the hashtag #NupToTheCup quickly trending.

Two years ago the Cup was rocked by the death of Cliffsofmoher — who was euthanised in front of the grandstand crowd after the horse broke its shoulder.

That followed these deaths in Melbourne Cup day races:

In 2013, Verema was euthanised after snapping a bone in her leg.

In 2014, Admire Rakti collapsed and died in his stall after a race and Araldo broke a leg and was euthanised.

In 2015, Red Cadeaux broke his left foreleg, was rushed to the vet for surgery and was euthanised some days later.

In 2016, Regal Monarch died after a dramatic mid-race fall.

Anthony Van Dyck pulled up as the pack headed down the home straight.Source:Supplied

Twilight Payment won this year’s Melbourne Cup, followed by Tiger Moth (second), Prince Of Arran (third) and The Chosen One (fourth).

Anthony Van Dyck was the favourite for much of Sunday evening and Monday morning before pushing out from $8 to $10 on race day. He was in good form heading into the Melbourne Cup, finishing second in this year’s Caulfield Cup.

Punters flocked to Tiger Moth as the fancied Irish Raider entered the race as the clear favourite, but he couldn’t haul in Twilight Payment at the end.

Twilight Payment was a big mover in the betting market, shortening from $41 to $21 before settling at $26, making those who backed him extremely happy.

Anthony Van Dyck is the second of Aidan O’Brien’s Melbourne Cup horses to be put down in three years.Source:Getty Images

Kerrin McEvoy rides Cross Counter to victory in last year’s Melbourne Cup. (AAP Image/Albert Perez)Source:AAP

Champion trainer Chris Waller is firming to win his first Melbourne Cup as Finche assumed favouritism ahead of Australia’s most famous race.

Japan’s Mer De Glace had been at the top of markets since drawing gate two in Saturday’s barrier draw but by late Monday he was displaced as favourite by Finche who was backed from $9.50 into $8.

FOLLOW: Live Melbourne Cup day action

Here’s the final word on all 24 runners.

1. CROSS COUNTER (Barrier: 5) Weight: 57.5kg — Jockey: James Doyle Trainer: Charlie Appleby Odds: $14 (Win), $4.20 (Place)

“It’s a hard race to win but we think we’ve got the best horse in the race, so we’ll take our chance. He’s a bigger, stronger horse than last year.” – trainer Charlie Appleby’s foreman, Chris Connett.

2. MER DE GLACE (2) 56kg — J: Damian Lane T: Hisashi Shimizu Odds: $8.50, $2.80

“I’m really confident in the horse I’m riding. We’ve drawn well. It would be nice if the rain slowed down. He hasn’t performed on a soft track before but we can’t control that. The 3200m is a big question mark. But I think he will run it out.” – jockey Damian Lane.

3. MASTER OF REALITY (1) 55.5kg — J: Frankie Dettori T: Joseph O’Brien Odds: $26, $7

“He’s (jockey Frankie Dettori) of the firm view that the form Master Of Reality showed that day, and obviously his lead-ups to Ascot, he said that’s the best staying form in the world.” – part-owner Nick Williams.

4. MIRAGE DANCER (13) 55.5kg — J: Ben Melham T: Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young Odds: $31, $8.50

“The way he ran through the line in the Caulfield Cup after getting that squeeze at the top of the straight I think he’s going to be better for it. He’s had that experience racing here now and in a big field.” – co-trainer Natalie Young.

5. SOUTHERN FRANCE (14) 55.5kg — J: Mark Zahra T: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace Odds: $23, $6.50

“He’s got the right form lines. The intensity of the work has increased and he’s in very good order.” – co-trainer Ciaron Maher.

6. HUNTING HORN (11) 55kg — J: Seamie Heffernan T: Aidan O’Brien Odds: $41, $11

“He looks a million dollars. Hunting Horn is one of those horses that has thrived here and he’s definitely taken his race well.” – trainer Aidan O’Brien’s travelling foreman TJ Comerford.

7. LATROBE (22) 55kg — J: James McDonald T: Joseph O’Brien Odds: $23, $6.50

“He has had the perfect preparation. He hasn’t missed a day. Everything we’ve wanted to do with him he’s done and he’s done well. And without question, he’s probably the classiest runner in the field. If there’s any question about him it’s the two miles.” – part-owner Nick Williams

Melbourne Cup runner Latrobe during a trackwork session at Werribee Racecourse. (AAP Image/Vince Caligiuri)Source:AAP

8. MUSTAJEER (6) 55kg — J: Damien Oliver T: Kris Lees Odds: $18, $5

“The positives are he is in good order and although he’s not proven at two miles, he is proven at 2800m and he can handle all types of tracks.” – trainer Kris Lees.

9. ROSTROPOVICH (12) 55kg — J: Dwayne Dunn T: David Hayes, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig Odds: $81, $17

“He missed the start, made a mid-race move and did a lot of work up the hill at Caulfield and when they do that they find it very hard to win. We’re hoping for a big improvement.” – co-Trainer Ben Hayes.

10. TWILIGHT PAYMENT (19) 55kg — J: Hugh Bowman Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Odds: $41, $11

“I think he’s a horse who likes to gallop on forward … there is plenty of time to get across, we won’t rush him. I’ll just have him where he’s comfortable.” – jockey Hugh Bowman.

11. FINCHE (4) 54kg — J: Kerrin McEvoy T: Chris Waller Odds: $8.50, $2.80

“He’s got a nice barrier and hopefully I can give him every chance to run well. He has shown me in his trackwork that he has come out of the Caulfield Cup well and he’s nice and bright.” – jockey Kerrin McEvoy

12. PRINCE OF ARRAN (8) 54kg — J: Michael Walker T: Charlie Fellowes Odds: $18, $5

“They tell me it was a very quick time for the Geelong Cup and it’s a pretty good indication for the big one I think.” – trainer Charlie Fellowes.

13. RAYMOND TUSK (3) 54kg — J: Jamie Spencer T: Richard Hannon Odds: $21, $6

“I don’t think he’s got a negative – we know we stay, we know we’ll appreciate the ground, we know the jockey gets on with him, we’ve got a good draw, got a good weight.” – syndicate manager Tom Palin.

14. DOWNDRAFT (15) 53.5kg J: John Allen T: Joseph O’Brien Odds: $20, $5.50

“All the reports are is that he has pulled out of the race (Hotham Stakes) in good order and hopefully he can reproduce what he did on Saturday.” – jockey John Allen.

15. MAGIC WAND (24) 53.5kg — J: Ryan Moore T: Aidan O’Brien Odds: $20, $5.50

“She’s a very high-class filly but she’s running the distance for the first time and I wish it wasn’t raining really.” – jockey Ryan Moore.

16. NEUFBOSC (23) 53.5kg — J: Luke Nolen T: David Hayes, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig Odds: $126, $21

“He needs everything to go right. He’s drawn a hard gate and we’ll just have to see how it plays out.” – co-trainer Ben Hayes.

Rostropovich and Neufbosc during a trackwork session at Flemington. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

17. SOUND (10) 53.5kg — J: James Winks T: Michael Moroney Odds: $91, $17

Melbourne Cup Winners

“He seems to be going well. He ran well in the Caulfield Cup and probably copped the worst of the interference.” – trainer Mike Moroney.

18. SURPRISE BABY (20) 53.5kg — J: Jordan Childs T: Paul Preusker Odds: $14, $4.20

“I think this year (barriers) mightn’t be as crucial as other years. They might run it along hopefully, so 20 might not end up being like 20.” -trainer Paul Preusker.

19. CONSTANTINOPLE (7) 52.5kg — J: Joao Moreira T: David Hayes, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig Odds: $9.50, $3

“He’s got the right jockey and I think we’ve got the right conditions. Hopefully that converts to a good run.” – co-trainer Ben Hayes.

20. IL PARADISO (17) 52.5kg — J: Wayne Lordan T: Aidan O’Brien Odds: $14, $4.20

“We’re coming down here as a lightweight. It’s a big ask but hopefully we’ll get a bit of luck on the day.” – part-owner Tom Magnier.

21. STEEL PRINCE (16) 52.5kg — J: Brett Prebble T: Anthony Freedman Odds: $71, $15

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“He’s taken no problem from his mishap at Caulfield and he’s had the fitness run at Geelong.” – jockey Brett Prebble.

22. THE CHOSEN ONE (18) 52kg — J: Tim Clark T: Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman Odds: $61, $15

“There’s not much we can do about the draw but it would have been nice to get a little closer to the fence as we haven’t had a lot of luck like that of late.” – co-trainer Andrew Forsman.

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23. VOW AND DECLARE (21) 52kg — J: Craig Williams T: Danny O’Brien Odds: $12, $3.60

Melbourne Horse Race

“I think he’ll certainly be much better suited at Flemington on the bigger track and the extra distance is right up his alley as well. This is the race we thought he could win and he’s going to get there in great shape.” – trainer Danny O’Brien.

24. YOUNGSTAR (9) 52kg — J: Tommy Berry T: Chris Waller Odds: $31, $8.50

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“This time last year Youngstar was the horse on everybody’s lips and unfortunately her form is not quite as good as it was going into the race this time last year.” – trainer Chris Waller.