Defiantly withdrawn from Melbourne Cup on veterinary advice
Stablemate Kizlyah moves into the field at No.24 after Defiantly failed a further veterinary examination.
Racing Victoria stewards have ordered Defiantly out of the Melbourne Cup after veterinarians found the Joseph O’Brien-trained horse remained unsuitable to race following a further examination.
Defiantly, Wine Dark Sea and Enfijaar were assessed again after changes in their gait prevented them from receiving clearance at an initial inspection. The examinations were required before final declarations for the Cup.
Stewards said Wine Dark Sea and Enfijaar had improved sufficiently since Thursday’s checks and were cleared to accept. Defiantly’s withdrawal puts stablemate Kizlyah into the field, ranked No.24 on the entry list.
Small Fry, ranked 33rd, was also deemed no longer suitable to race, stewards said. The withdrawals follow those of Saint George, who failed mandatory scans, and Japanese runner Stinger Glass.
Defiantly’s European performances included victory in France’s Group 2 Prix Kergorlay over 3000m in August. The Cup field is due to be confirmed at 4.30pm AEDT, with the barrier draw to follow that evening.
