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Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club, in consultation with the Victorian Jockeys Association, have considered the circumstances which led to the tragic passing of two horses following the running of yesterday’s Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

Those considerations centred largely upon the unique circumstances which led to Araldo having to be humanely euthanized as a result of an injury sustained upon return to the mounting yard.

RV Chairman of Stewards, Terry Bailey, said that a full review of the incident had taken place during the day and, as result, an alternate procedure will be implemented for the remaining Group 1 races within the 2014 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“Having reviewed the vision it is clear that Araldo safely enters the pathway to the mounting yard behind the winner, Protectionist, corroborating the evidence provided by jockey Dwayne Dunn,” Mr Bailey said.

“The vision shows a member of the public being held up above the crowd whilst standing on top of the fence. They raise a large flag clearly within the immediate eyesight of the horse.

“Frightened by this action, the horse spins back and sideways, away from the spectator. As part of this action, the horse plants and twists its hind leg, fracturing the pastern bone.

“The horse returns to the mounting yard and Mr Dunn seeks immediate veterinary assistance which was appropriately afforded in the eyes of the Stewards.”

For the remainder of the 2014 Melbourne Cup Carnival the procedure will be altered for horses returning to the mounting yard after Group 1 races.

Traditionally, the winner of a Group 1 race has been walked by the winning owners down the pathway to the mounting yard with other runners walking closely behind. In all other races, horses are free to trot back to the mounting yard ahead of the winner.

For the remainder of the Carnival, the winner of the Group 1 races will be led directly from the track to the mounting yard via the clocktower gate. All others races will remain as is.

“Racing Victoria, the VRC and VJA met today and determined that this will minimise congestion on the pathway behind the Group 1 winner and avoid instances where the horses come to a standstill,” Mr Bailey said.

“The incident involving Araldo was a freak accident and something that we have not seen previously. However, we have taken these interim measures for the remainder of the Carnival and will discuss the long-term procedures with the VRC following its completion.”

In conjunction with the changes mentioned above, the VRC has determined that it will undertake the following for the remainder of the 2014 Melbourne Cup Carnival ahead of a comprehensive review after its conclusion;

• Security will be increased to ensure that flags exceeding one metre x one metre are not brought into the racecourse as per the terms and conditions of entry for the Carnival;

• Flags will be prohibited from the immediate vicinity around horse movement areas; and

• Additional security will be placed around horse movement areas to ensure that patrons comply.

In addition to the above, RV has announced that;

• Additional veterinary resources will be on duty at Flemington for the remainder of the 2014 Melbourne Cup Carnival;

• It will be implementing its standard hot weather policy for Saturday’s Emirates Stakes Day meeting with a temperature of 32 degrees forecast;

• Both Araldo and Admire Rakti will be cremated and their remains buried in the Memorial Garden at Living Legends in Greenvale; and

• Counselling services have been offered to the connections of both horses