Japanese raider Stinger Glass has been scratched from the Melbourne Cup field after a panel of experts deemed he was at high risk of injury, opening the door for last year’s winning jockey Jamie Melham to defend her crown.
The six-year-old Yasuo Tomomichi-trained stallion failed a mandatory pre-race scan on Thursday, ruling him out of running in the race that stops a nation.
The withdrawal means Melham’s nervous wait to see if she would get a mount in the Cup is over, with Future History to gain a start in Stinger Glass’s place.
Stinger Glass is the second horse to be ruled out by vets ahead of the Melbourne Cup next Tuesday, with Saint George scratched on Thursday.
An initial CT scan indicated Stinger Glass was at a heightened risk of injury before the Tomomichi stable was afforded the opportunity for the horse to undergo a PET scan in a last-ditch effort to prove his fitness.
But a panel of experts ultimately advised Racing Victoria the horse was not fit to run.
“Having reviewed the PET scan results alongside the CT scan results, the panel members have advised RV Veterinary Services that they remain of the view that Stinger Glass is currently at heightened risk of injury,” Racing Victoria said in a statement.
“Following advice from RV veterinary services in relation to the specialist opinions from the imaging review panel, RV stewards have this morning stood down Stinger Glass from competing in the remainder of the 2026 spring racing carnival.
“The stewards have appraised the connections of Stinger Glass, both in Australia and Japan, of the key information that they relied upon in making their decision.”
Stinger Glass’s withdrawal leaves just five runners awaiting clearance to confirm their start in the Cup, headlined by Defiantly, who was equal first in the order of entry.
Vauban (13th), Enfjaar (17th), Wine Dark Sea (18th) and Litzdeel (32nd) are also awaiting a green light from vets.
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