English trainer Luca Cumani says potentially illegal physiotherapy treatment on Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer had been administered by official veterinary stewards.The results of a Racing Victoria Ltd (RVL) investigation into whether or not Bauer received shock wave therapy as part of his treatment just a few days before the race will be announced on Thursday.Under Australian racing rules any horse that receives shock wave treatment cannot race for seven days.The RVL inquiry into the treatment c

English trainer Luca Cumani says potentially illegal physiotherapy treatment on Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer had been administered by official veterinary stewards.

The results of a Racing Victoria Ltd (RVL) investigation into whether or not Bauer received shock wave therapy as part of his treatment just a few days before the race will be announced on Thursday.

Under Australian racing rules any horse that receives shock wave treatment cannot race for seven days.

The RVL inquiry into the treatment could result in Bauer, owned by a syndicate headed by Australian businessman Terry Henderson and former Test cricketer Simon O'Donnell, being stripped of his second placing to Viewed.

Cumani said Bauer had received physiotherapy treatment on Thursday October 30, five days before the Melbourne Cup on November 4.

He said he had put his faith in veterinary stewards appointed by RVL and did not check the local rules himself.

Cumani would not reveal the exact nature of the treatment but said it was permitted all around the world as long as it was not administered on race day.

"We had a slight issue with Bauer and he (the vet) recommended the treatment," he told Sydney radio station 2KY.

"We were told it was okay and we have to rely on the vet's advice.

"This treatment is widely available in every racing country. It is only banned in England on race day so I wasn't aware there would be an issue.

"The vet was appointed by Racing Victoria to look after our horses, I thought everything was fine.

"I took it for granted that if he recommended it would be okay.

"I probably should have looked at the rules myself and I was not aware this physiotherapy was not allowed."

The shock wave therapy is used to treat musculoskeletal problems in race horses by creating pressure waves that stimulate specific sites in the body.

Research has shown the therapy can result in decreased pain in local areas.

But prominent equine veterinary surgeon Dr Nick Kannegeiter said the benefits of shockwave treatment were inconclusive.

"High intensity soundwaves are used and the theory is it can improve recovery," he said.

"The concern is that it decreases pain and therefore is a non-drug painkiller.

"But the evidence is not good as to what it actually does and it is no miracle cure.

"It is used in Melbourne more than anywhere else in Australia and the Europeans use it all the time."