Many horses were raced twice in just three days over the recent Kangaroo Island Cup.
Seven year old Olive Grove was almost raced twice. They took him all the way to the barriers before it was noticed he was 2/5 lame in both front legs so was a late scratching.
At least four others were injured:
Five year old Ultimate Victory suffered cardiac arrhythmia (not the first time), and has now been “retired”;
Seven year old Lady Delight finished lame in her near foreleg;
Five year old Muffla finished lame in both front legs,
and
Alphaeus crossed the finish line 2/5 lame in ALL four legs.
Just about every rider commented they believed their injured horse did not handle being raced twice in three days well. You think?
Under the Rules of Racing, doing this to horses is completly acceptable, as is forcing a horse to race on consecutive days.
Example: Nine year old Verando was raced in Victoria on both January 1st and 2nd – two days of extremely high heat and humidity. He also had to endure the stress of transport to and from the different tracks being 90 minutes apart. Perfectly acceptable under the Rules of Racing and state animal welfare laws.
Undignified at this point is how you would describe the organizational skill set that organised this carnival
Kangaroo island is an Island after all and in it’s remoteness this disorganized and undignified event has shown that much needs to be thought about in relation to holding any horse racing events as it’s remoteness deligates the logistical difficulties that need to be overcome when considering such a remote part of Australia as a host for such a sporting event
From the report above its most likely an obvious account of the situation that unfolded that there was a lack of competitors to forefill the racing card promised to the public over the calendar of racing.
For those who suggest that they love horses and the sport and wish to continue to have racing in Australia they need to realize that the horses are what keeps their sport alive and at some point put the effort into proper organization and work too create an industry that is dignified too the point of an over effectiveness that leaves no room for criticism.
This example certainly doesn’t show any signs of the Industry and it’s orgnisers duefully moving towards that sphere its rather the opposite in fact.