The Cox Plate has ended in tragedy for New Zealand trainer Murray Baker with Lion Tamer euthanased after breaking a leg.
The four-year-old was eased down in the latter part of the race by Hugh Bowman and finished last.
Lion Tamer winning the AAMI Victorian Derby (Race Class) at Flemington - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
Bowman said the horse did not feel right during the race but the incident happened after the winning post.
A dual Group One winner in Australia, Lion Tamer was being prepared for the Melbourne Cup.
He was briefly the Melbourne Cup favourite after his win in the Underwood Stakes but punters shied away when he failed in the Caulfield Stakes.
Lion Tamer’s other Group One win apart from the Underwood came in last year’s Victoria Derby.
The Cox Plate was won by Pinker Pinker from New Zealand champion Jimmy Choux.
AAP TURF
