The Melbourne Cup 2026 field has lost one of its leading contenders, with Saint George withdrawn on October 29 after veterinary checks at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre raised concerns about the horse’s soundness.
Saint George, the Caulfield Cup runner-up and one of trainer Ciaron Maher’s leading hopes, had a 55kg handicap and was 19th in the order of entry. A PET scan was conducted as part of routine imaging, and the expert panel maintained a “heightened risk of injury” view, prompting the withdrawal.
Following the decision, 29 horses were cleared for the race, while Defiantly, Vauban, Enfjaar, Wine Dark Sea and Litzdeel will all be re-examined on Saturday. Final acceptances for the Cup close at 4:30pm AEDT on Saturday, October 31.
The withdrawal of a key fancy reshapes the betting picture ahead of the race that stops the nation, scheduled for Tuesday, November 3 at Flemington. Saint George’s exit is a blow for connections, but the stringent veterinary protocols — now standard for the Melbourne Cup — are designed to protect horses at the highest level of competition.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.