Melbourne Cup dream ends due to irregular heartbeat
Six-year-old gelding Athabascan is the first confirmed scratching of the Melbourne Cup Racing Victoria stewards have announced on the eve of the event.
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained horse was examined by Racing Victoria veterinarians on Monday as part of the second round of pre-race inspections.
The vets found the horse had a cardiac arrhythmia, known as an irregular heartbeat.
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Athabascan’s diagnosis came from blood tests, which were examined by three independent experts.
Athabascan has been scratched from the Melbourne Cup. Getty
Vets advised stewards the horse was at risk of a cardiac episode.
The six-year-old was originally drawn at barrier two and won its last start at Randwick in October.
The rest of the field has been given a full bill of health ahead of the $8.56 million race.
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