Raceday error rules Asterix out of Melbourne Cup
A raceday treatment error has cost Asterix (NZ) (Tavistock) his place in Tuesday's A$10.2 million Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, with trainer Chris Waller subsequently fined A$50,000.
The eight-year-old gelding was withdrawn from the iconic staying feature after a stable employee mistakenly applied Penetrene, a topical liniment marketed as an anti-inflammatory, to both of his forelegs on raceday.
Under Australian racing rules, the application of any topical treatment on raceday is considered the administration of medication, prompting Racing Victoria stewards to order Asterix's withdrawal at 10.33am.
The decision followed evidence from Waller, stable staff, the Compliance Assurance Team and Racing Victoria regulatory veterinarian Dr Edwina Wilkes.
Waller accepted responsibility for the incident, which occurred while Asterix was receiving his usual daily care and in the presence of an integrity official.
"It's not her fault, I've got to bear the responsibility," Waller said.
"It's my team, it's rare for us to make mistakes but the pressure of raceday.
"You can't explain how it affects everybody, everyone is on edge on Melbourne Cup Day and you think a little bit differently."
Waller pleaded guilty to a charge under Australian Racing Rule 227(a), having negligently caused the medication to be administered in breach of raceday treatment rules.
In determining the A$50,000 fine, stewards accepted the treatment had been applied in error and took into consideration Waller's guilty plea and excellent record in relation to similar offences.
They also considered the seriousness of the breach and the resulting withdrawal of Asterix, whose New Zealand-based owners had travelled to Melbourne for the occasion.
"It's shattering to get this close and come out on raceday," Waller said.
"The horse gets the same treatment every day.
"It's a very basic liniment most stables use and I guess the pressure of raceday.
"The person that looks after the horse put it on his legs right in front of the security guard, nothing to hide. The pressure of raceday, it's a very simple mistake.
"Nothing was hidden, the security guard was right there … as soon as it happened we knew there was a problem."
Asterix had been set to carry 55kg under Jye McNeil after drawing barrier six, with his most recent appearance coming when finishing 12th in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 17.
