Speaking at Flemington on Tuesday morning, a visibly upset Waller said the horses were like pets to the people who care for them.
“They're pretty resilient, the people that look after these horses, they obviously love them dearly, and they're pets, just like a cat or dog,” he said. “So, yeah, it's always tough when there's a missing [horse] in the stable.”
Ohope Wins, winner of the Australian Oaks, was put down in the home straight after coming down about 300 metres from the winning post. Last year's Caulfield Cup winner Half Yours clipped heels and was brought down in front of Ohope Wins and McNeil. The fall happened in front of a packed public section. Waller watched the race from Randwick, having stayed in Sydney for The Everest meeting.
Half Yours was able to get to his feet and gallop away, but is unlikely to race again this spring, almost certainly ruling out a Melbourne Cup defence for trainer Tony McEvoy. McNeil and Half Yours' rider Mark Zahra, both past Melbourne Cup winners, were cleared of any serious injury on Sunday. Neither was deemed to have concussion, a finding that would have triggered a 12-day stand-down under Racing Victoria protocols.
Waller confirmed he had spoken to McNeil. “He's improving with each day, and it's great to see him out of hospital. He's come out of it pretty well,” Waller said. McNeil had been booked to ride Waller's Valiant King in Wednesday's Geelong Cup, but the horse has been scratched and will instead run in Saturday's MV Gold Cup at Flemington.
The trainer praised the Melbourne Racing Club's response, including the counselling it offered. “I commend them for offering counselling, and they've been fantastic because it's good that people really understand how much people love horses and how much goes into a horse,” Waller said. “No risks are ever taken, and the first choice is to bring them home safe, regardless of where they finish. But the staff, they're coping well. You just take it one day at a time, just deal with it as each day comes.”
Waller was at Flemington to watch Cox Plate runners Aeliana and Birdman work. The weight-for-age championship is being run at Flemington for the first time while Moonee Valley is closed for $250 million renovations. Waller, who has won six of the past 10 Cox Plates including four with Winx, said both horses were set to peak. “Both horses are in great form,” he said. “They're genuine group 1 horses. Aeliana's ready to peak after a good semi-final run last start (third in the Turnbull Stakes), and Birdman the same (third in the Might And Power Stakes).” James McDonald, winner of the past four Cox Plates, flew in from Sydney to trial Aeliana, while Ben Melham rode Birdman. The Cox Plate barrier draw was scheduled for Tuesday night.