Trainer Chris Waller advised stewards yesterday that he had been forced to scratch Otago-bred stayer Who Shot Thebarman from the $A6million ($NZ6.65million) feature tomorrow after the horse was found to have an elevated temperature.
Who Shot Thebarman’s legions of fans will now be scrambling for a new horse to follow in the race.The 9yr-old was not only popular with racing fans, but was as popular as champion mare Winx with his stable staff, Waller said after the horse’s
Moonee Valley Gold Cup win. In a statement to chief Victorian steward Terry Bailey, Waller said he was left with no option but to scratch Who Shot Thebarman due to the level of elevated temperature the horse was showing.
"It is obviously of great disappointment to the owners, my staff and I. However the welfare of the horse comes first and for that reason he must be scratched from Tuesday’s race," Waller said in a statement.
The White Robe Lodge-bred 9yr-old won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup nine days ago.
"Who Shot Thebarman had pleased me in his progress . . . and had showed no signs of ill effect following his win in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup," Waller said.
The horse was to have contested his fourth Melbourne Cup tomorrow. He finished third in 2014, 11th after suffering interference in 2015 and fifth last year.
The scratching denies the Yaminan Vital gelding the opportunity to create history. Who Shot Thebarman was aiming to become the first 9yr-old to win the famous 3200m race. It remains to be seen whether he could return for a tilt as a 10yr-old. However, if he does not, it could be left to some of his close relations to represent the White Robe Lodge breed.
Ears Carol, the 17yr-old dam of the Who Shot Thebarman, was served recently by resident stallion Raise The Flag in the hope of producing another star stayer. And a yearling by White Robe Lodge sire Ghibellines from Ears Carol is entered in the national yearling sales, to held in late January and early Feburary at Karaka.
