With the Victorian Spring Carnival approaching, Racing Victoria has announced the specialist panel that will review diagnostic imaging and scans of contenders.
Three independent specialists will review the diagnostic imaging of local and international horses seeking to start at the Victorian Spring Carnival.
Racing Victoria announced on Friday the trio – Melbourne-based professor Chris Whitton from the University of Melbourne, Dr Bruce Bladon from the UK and Dr Mathieu Spriet from the USA – will act independently of RV’s veterinary team in diagnosing any injuries or issues in the medical imaging of horses.
They will also review the mandatory CT scans of all Melbourne Cup hopefuls required before competing in the race that stops the nation.
RV’s Veterinary Services team along with RV Stewards will then consider their opinions whether the horses are suitable to compete in the Melbourne Cup and, or, travel from overseas via the Werribee International Horse Centre.
RV General Manager Veterinary Services, Dr Grace Forbes, said the process of seeking independent advice on scans, or a horse’s history, was not new in Victoria.
“Their role is to identify the level of risk for a future injury, not to rule a horse in or out of a race,” Forbes said.
“It’s then RV’s job to consider that expert opinion and make a decision as to the suitability of a horse to compete in the Spring Racing Carnival.”
The first shipment of horses is scheduled to arrive on September 25 allowing horses to compete in the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate with international scanning having commenced.
The second shipment is tentatively scheduled to arrive on October 12 for any horses wishing to target the Melbourne Cup only.
Nominations for this year’s Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate close on Tuesday.
