Melbourne Cup Favorite Withdrawn from Flemington Showpiece After Failing Vet Check

The favorite for the Lexus Melbourne Cup, Sir Delius, has been withdrawn from the prestigious race due to health concerns. Racing Victoria stewards made this decision following the horse’s failure in independent specialist scans.

Sir Delius Withdrawn from Melbourne Cup

Sir Delius, trained by the renowned Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, was a leading contender for the Melbourne Cup. This announcement comes just days before the horse was scheduled to compete in the Cox Plate, another significant race in the Australian racing calendar.

Reasons for Withdrawal

The decision to stand down Sir Delius was made after he underwent both CT and PET scans. These tests indicated a heightened risk of injury, prompting Racing Victoria to act in the best interest of the horse’s health. The new regulations require all Melbourne Cup entries to have a CT scan before October 30. This protocol was implemented after the 2021 death of Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck, marking a tragic trend of fatalities in the prestigious race.

New Favorite Emerges

As a result of Sir Delius’s withdrawal, Al Riffa, trained by Joseph O’Brien, has been elevated to the position of favorite for the Melbourne Cup. The current odds for Al Riffa stand at 4-1. O’Brien has previously enjoyed success in the Melbourne Cup, winning the race twice with Rekindling in 2017 and Twilight Payment in 2020.

Details of the Melbourne Cup

The Lexus Melbourne Cup will take place at Flemington on November 4 at 4:00 PM. The event is a highlight of the Australian horse racing calendar and attracts significant attention from fans and bettors alike.

Current Odds for Melbourne Cup

This year’s Melbourne Cup promises to be an exciting event, despite the loss of one of its main contenders. With Al Riffa now leading the odds, all eyes will be on the upcoming races as fans and bettors prepare for the day’s action.