Roe concerns after travel troubles
Connections of Emirates Melbourne Cup challenger Vinnie Roe face an anxious couple of days after the Irish raider suffered a nightmare journey to Australia.
The seven-year-old suffered colic and required veterinary treatment during a marathon 48-hour trip from trainer Dermot Weld’s Curragh base.
“He virtually had to travel an extra 24 hours than the other horses on the flight,” Weld’s son Mark told www.theage.com.au.
“It was such a traumatic trip. He left here in very stormy conditions and had to travel on the ferry to England. Then it was another six hours on the float and six hours more waiting to be loaded on to the plane.
“We’ve never had a horse have to endure such conditions and you can just imagine yourself, you would be starting to feel sick.”
Weld will monitor Vinnie Roe’s condition over the next 48 to 72 hours to see how much the trip has taken out of the four-time Irish St Leger winner.
The Definite Article horse is on his third visit to Melbourne after finishing fourth to stablemate Media Puzzle in the 2002 Melbourne Cup and second to Makybe Diva in the race last year.
Vinnie Roe travelled over with the Michael Stoute-trained Distinction and Mark Tompkins’ Franklins Gardens who are both reported to have taken their journeys well.
