Shock for Cumani as Bauer may be stripped of Cup prize

Close call: Viewed beats Luca Cumani’s Bauer by a nose in last month’s Melbourne Cup

Paul Fielder13 April 2012

Luca Cumani's Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer could be thrown out after the trainer allowed physiotherapy to be carried out on the horse unaware the treatment broke rules in Australia.

Bauer was beaten a nose by Viewed in the race last month earning connections £367,841 in prize money but was allegedly treated with electro shock wave therapy on the Thursday before the race, even though Australian Rules of Racing prohibit such treatment within seven days of running.

Cumani, who was saddling his second successive Melbourne Cup runner-up after Purple Moon filled the same spot 12 months earlier, said he had put his faith in vets appointed by Racing Victoria Limited (RVL), admitting he did not check the local rules himself.

Cumani said: "We had a slight issue with Bauer and the vet recommended the treatment.

"This treatment is widely available in every racing country. It is only banned in England on race day so I wasn't aware there would be an issue.

"The vet was appointed by Racing Victoria and I took it for granted that, if he recommended it, it would be okay.

"I probably should have looked at the rules myself and I was not aware this physiotherapy was not allowed."

Two of Australia's leading newspapers - The Age and Herald Sun - were today reporting they believed electro shock wave therapy was used on Bauer although Cumani would not reveal the exact nature of the treatment.

RVL stewards have opened an inquiry with Rule 64H stating: "A horse that has been subjected to any form of shock wave theraphy shall be ineligible to race or take part in any trial in the seven days following such treatment."

RVL chairman of stewards Terry Bailey confirmed the matter was being investigated but that no progress could be made until Bauer's Australian co-owner Terry Henderson returns from a trip to England on 11 December.

"We do need to clarify some issues," said Bailey. "The inquiry is into whether or not any rules regarding pre-race treatment of a horse have been breached."

Cumani added: "We are most concerned by the investigation, but feel comfortable nothing wrong has been done at our end."