Another shock scratching three days out from Melbourne Cup

October 31, 2026 — 10:45am

The shape of the Melbourne Cup changed dramatically on Saturday morning after Irish import and expected pace-maker Defiantly failed a vet test.

The Jospeh O’Brien stayer has set European racing alight in the past six months by adopting daring catch-me-if-you can tactics and was expected to turn Tuesday’s 3200m race at Flemington into a gruelling test of stamina that would suit the Europeans.

The five-year-old gelding had sensitivity in a hind foot when first inspected at Werribee earlier this week, but the O’Brien stable was quietly hopeful it would come good by the follow-up veterinary examinations today.

But Racing Victoria vets were unable to pass it fit ton run.

The scratching means that another O’Brien runner, Kizlyar, will make the starting 24.

More to come

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