Fancied runners Dunaden and Tres Blue have been cleared to take their place in the 2013 Melbourne Cup Field at Flemington today after Racing Victoria Stewards questioned both horses’ trainers concerning race day treatments.

Gai Waterhouse was questioned by stewards for race day treatment of Melbourne Cup runner Tres Blue. Photo by Steve Hart.

French trainer Mikel Delzangles was questioned regarding oral stomach treatment that top weight Dunaden received this morning while Gai Waterhouse had to front stewards and explain why Tres Blue had cream applied to his feet on the morning of the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Stewards acted on advice from their veterinary surgeon that the treatments Dunaden and Tres Blue received were drug free but both trainers will have to face a stewards’ inquiry later in the day.

“There were no prohibitive substances in the treatment therefore we are comfortable that the horses are being presented drug free,” chief steward Terry Bailey said.

“Mrs Waterhouse said it was some treatment for a bit of greasy heel which is probably at the minor end of the scale, but medication on race day is not permissible. As I said we are satisfied that the horses are here drug free and that’s why they are taking their place in the field.”

“It comes down to the circumstances that we are dealing with. In our view these are minor end of the scale when it comes to race day treatments. It’s is not as if there is any suggestions that any are being needled or stomach tubed or some of the more serious offences which would lead to probably a horse being scratched.”

“We are satisfied these horses are here drug free, that’s why they are running.”

Bailey said that both trainers would have to face the stewards later in the day and the possibility of some sort of a fine could be imposed.

Dunaden is currently a $41 chance to win his second Melbourne Cup after winning in 2011 while Tres Blue is a $26 chance to give Waterhouse her first Melbourne Cup trophy.