European trainers sweat on Cup veterinary tests and travel issues for staff

Clarity on the shape and scale of the European challenge for the Melbourne Cup and other key races at the Spring Carnival should emerge over the next few days, as the deadline approaches for a raft of new pre-departure veterinary checks.

Racing.com has reported that 11 of the original 16 entries coming from Europe are still intended participants, but it is not only the stringent new bone-scan requirements from Racing Victoria that are creating logistical headaches for those planning to travel.

In order to make the first of two flights down to the international training facility at Werribee, horses must be cleared to enter quarantine at Newmarket on September 9, ahead of arrival in Australia on September 25.