Both jockeys involved in the fall during Saturday’s Caulfield Cup that led to the death of Australasian Oaks winner Ohope Wins will be released from hospital on Sunday morning.
Mark Zahra, who was aboard last year’s Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, has left hospital after an overnight stay, while Jye McNeil will also be discharged on Sunday morning.
The Victorian Jockeys Association had communicated via Racing Victoria that both jockeys had escaped serious injury.
The stewards spoke to jockeys Ethan Brown (rider of Zahrann), Rachel King (Green Spaces) and Jabez Johnstone (Kings Valley) about what led to Half Yours falling 300 metres from the line, but adjourned the inquiry. The inquiry into Ohope Wins’ fall and also interference involving the mare at the 2100m mark was adjourned also.
Half Yours returned to his stable at Flemington last night after being cared for by veterinarians.
On Sunday morning his trainer Tony McEvoy said that although the horse had suffered some lacerations, he was still standing. He told Racing.com that a Melbourne Cup start was unlikely.
“No decision at the moment but he won’t be able to work for 10 days so I think our campaign is over,” McEvoy said.
“So, as disappointing as that is, we are still overjoyed that he seems OK.
“We are very lucky. He had four staples in a near foreleg and four staples put in an off-hind leg and he had a laceration under his chest, but all pretty superficial stuff in the scheme of things.
“He had a dipper of feed overnight and he’s out now, having a pick now, and he seems pretty good, so we’re lucky, very lucky.
“We are just going to get him well. I’d say his preparation is over but that is not a decision, that’s just a feeling. How can you bounce back after that and run in a Melbourne Cup?”
Chris Waller, who trained Ohope Wins, put out a statement as they dealt with the devastation of losing the horse.
More to come.