Despite earlier concern over the Bart Cummings-trained galloper and last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Viewed‘s Mackinnon Stakes injury, there is now little doubt over his chances of back-to-back success in the $5.65million race tomorrow after the wound was declared superficial.
Equal favourite with emerging star Alcopop, Viewed incurred a whack to his hind leg during his strong finishing third in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday, after another runner galloped on him mid-race. Although the contact did not draw blood, Viewed still lost hair on his off-side hock from the injury and Cummings expressed concerns that the horse may have sustained some bruising below the area of impact.
It was announced today, however, that there was no lasting damage to the runner’s leg and he is fit, in-form and ready to make his assault at Flemington come tomorrow.
Any injury this close to the most important race of the year however, no matter how minor, must be carefully monitored and that is exactly what Cummings is doing; especially considering the heavy weight Viewed is set to carry tomorrow – 58kg.
