Race officials ordered vet checks on Cup favourite before race

Racing’s chief veterinarian was dispatched to Werribee before the Melbourne Cup yesterday to inspect Admire Rakti, who later died following the race, it has been revealed.

Admire Rakti’s sudden death has been attributed to acute heart failure.

Put simply, its heart gave out.

“That started during the race and then progressed to a more chaotic, disorganised rhythm later that wasn’t able to supply enough blood to the body,” Racing Victoria Chief Veterinarian Brian Stewart said.

The order to check Admire Rakti before the race was given by Chief Steward Terry Bailey.

Connections of Araldo are also heartbroken today after the horse was put down yesterday evening.

Having finished seventh in the race, jockey Dwayne Dunn was guiding Araldo back to the mounting yard when it became spooked by an Australian flag being waved.

The horse kicked the fence but its foot became stuck.

“Unfortunately he tried to have another go and get himself unstuck and the flag kept waving and made it even more difficult for him,” Mr Dunn said.

Having suffered a fractured leg, he was later euthanised.

To eliminate further risk, officials are now considering dispensing with the famous walk along the roses.

Instead they would enter the mounting yard from the track.

But whatever measures are in place to ensure the safety of horses it will do little to appease anti-racing campaigners.

Not surprisingly, racing authorities reject the notion that not enough is being done to limit the risks.