Maldivian is out of the 2009 Melbourne Cup

Maldivian and Efficient have been equal topweights for the 2009 Melbourne Cup with 58kg since the weights were released, but Maldivian has been ruled out by injury just days before the Caulfield Cup.

Maldivian won the 2008 Cox Plate, which is the greatest weight-for-age race in Australia but will not have the chance to defend his crown. The seven-year-old gelding worked at Flemington on Tuesday morning and on cooling down was found to have heat in the near side front leg. A scan revealed a tear in the tendon, putting an end to his spring campaign.

Trainer Mark Kavanagh has had to keep a close watch on the horse as this is his third injury in a year. After winning the C.F. Orr Stakes over 1400 metres in February a tendon injury stopped his autumn campaign, then he suffered a back injury which delayed the start of this preparation.

The Caulfield Cup seems to have been jinxed for this beautiful horse. In 2007 he was a clear favourite for the race and drew barrier one. Seconds before the starter was going to release the field he reared up and sliced his neck open on a camera installed on the top of his stall for TV coverage. He was withdrawn and had blood running down his neck.

In the 2008 Caulfield Cup he ran ninth behind All The Good before winning the Cox Plate the following week. All up he has had 30 starts for nine wins (including three Group 1’s), five seconds and five thirds and has earned over $2.8 million.

Owner Joe Ricciardo said the horse has given him the highest highs and lowest lows that racing has to offer and is thinking of retiring the horse as he wouldn’t like to see him come back and suffer another injury. Spring racing and the Cups Carnival has been robbed of one of its stars, but I’m sure Maldivian will have a happy and well cared for retirement.

Jo Jackson

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