Appleby, vets to rule on Ispolini fitness for big race

THE Melbourne Cup destiny of Godolphin’s Ispolini rests on the results of veterinary scans and Charlie Appleby’s assessment of the colt’s fitness.

Ispolini, who is attempting to emulate Cross Counter’s 2018 success, worked strongly at Werribee yesterday but will come under scrutiny from Racing Victoria vets before being cleared to start.

Appleby’s travelling foreman, Chris Connett, said Ispolini and Cross Counter — who has been cleared to run after overcoming a minor leg complaint — had thrived in Australia, but no risks would be taken.

“Regards to Ispolini, when he arrived here RV vet Grace Forbes was not exactly happy with his action and invited us to go for a standing CT (scan),” Connett said.

“Those results have come back and the team back home are looking at those. He went for a scan yesterday at Ballarat.

“When we get the results back from there the team back home and the vets here will have a discussion and decide what we want to do.

“They (Cross Counter and Ispolini) both look good to my eye. They haven't missed a day of training while they have been here, their gallops have been good and at the moment we are full steam ahead.

“As long as we get the OK they will work tomorrow.”

Desperate to avoid another Cup fatality after those involving The Cliffsofmoher and Red Cadeaux, RV has been using a new scanning device that has detected injury issues in several internationals.

Marmelo and Southern France are among those to cause concern, but their respective trainers Hughie Morrison and Ciaron Maher insist they are fit to run.

RV vets will examine the top 35 horses in the Cup order of entry before Saturday’s final acceptances.

Connett believes Cross Counter can defend his Cup crown despite carrying 57.5kg — a heft of 6kg on his winning weight in 2018. “Obviously it’s a lot more weight than last year,” he said.