Spanish Mission must pass crucial veterinary check to run in Melbourne Cup

Connections of Spanish Mission expect to run their leading Lexus Melbourne Cup hope next week despite having to face a last-minute veterinary check on Saturday in order to be cleared for participation.

The five-year-old is the general 8-1 second favourite for Tuesday's 2m Group 1, but concerns about his involvement arose after he failed an initial veterinary inspection on Thursday morning due to swelling in his right foreleg, and Racing Victoria vets remained unsatisfied following another check at the Werribee International Facility on Friday.

Saturday's tests will be the final chance for Spanish Mission to prove his fitness – with final acceptances and the draw for the 'race that stops a nation' made the same day – but trainer Andrew Balding is confident he will be able to run.

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He said on Friday morning: "Spanish Mission is well. He exercised as normal on Friday and will do so again as normal tomorrow before he faces the vet check. Everything with him getting down there and since he's been there has been so far so good.

"We'll wait for the draw tomorrow and we're looking forward to running, hopefully."

Should Spanish Mission take his place, Balding and Joseph O'Brien will be the only two European trainers represented in the race following the introduction of stricter veterinary protocols on horses travelling from Europe to race in Melbourne earlier this year.

The series of mandatory tests and scans before their departure were brought in following a spate of deaths in the Melbourne Cup in recent years and while Racing Victoria's new measures have been off-putting for many, Spanish Mission's part-owner Barry Irwin, who runs under his Team Valor banner, understands why they have been introduced.

Barry Irwin: understands why the stricter measures have been brought inCredit: Edward Whitaker

He said: "I applaud the thought behind it. Whether it's too much or not, is not for me to say. It's their race, they can do what they want, we knew what we were facing when we went in.

"We have a sound horse and we have confidence in him. We knew what we were up against and if it works out in our favour great, but if it doesn't that's the way it goes."

Spanish Mission's preparation has been overseen by trainer Tony Noonan and his son Tom at Werribee and like Balding, both are confident he will be able to take his chance in the race, which takes place at 4am GMT at Flemington on November 2.

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Noonan told Racing.com: "I think he's probably got an infection under the skin, but I'd expect improvement really quickly. I would think there's no doubt, at this point in time, he will run.

"He was a sound horse under saddle on Friday morning, and he's been sound right through, so this has just come out of leftfield. Once we treat him, I think we'll get a really quick response."

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