Scandinavia Failed To Pass Scans In Melbourne Cup Leadup

Scandinavia, removed from G1 Melbourne Cup contention last month by connections, failed to pass the required Australian veterinary scans leading up to the Race that Stops the Nation, according to trainer Aidan O'Brien.

The son of Justify won the Goodwood Cup and the G1 St Leger and will instead target the G1 Gold Cup next June.

“He didn't pass the scans,” O'Brien told Matt Chapman of At The Races. “That's the long and short of it. He is a three-year-old and obviously three-year-olds do have different bone structures than four-year-olds or five-year-olds. They are maturing all the time. Their bones are filling in and that's the way it is. Everyone else thought that his scans were perfect, but when he went down in front of the Australian vets they weren't happy about it, so that's fine.

“When you go to Rome, you play by the Pope's rules. That's the way it is in Australia. When you're in Australia, you play by the Australian rules. Hopefully we'll have horses that will go and try again sometime.”