Top Contender Withdrawn from Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate Due to Veterinary Concerns
The top contender for the Melbourne Cup, Sir Delius, has been withdrawn from both this prestigious race and the Cox Plate due to veterinary concerns. Racing Victoria (RV) made this announcement following a thorough assessment of the five-year-old stallion.
Veterinary Concerns Lead to Withdrawal
Sir Delius was trained by the renowned team of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Following a CT scan at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre, it was revealed that the horse faced a heightened risk of injury. Despite a subsequent PET scan, the risk remained unchanged.
RV stewards decided to stand down Sir Delius from the remainder of the 2025 Spring Racing Carnival after consulting with veterinary services and specialist opinions.
Betting Odds and Impact on Race
Before the withdrawal, Sir Delius was the favourite to win the Melbourne Cup, with Ladbrokes quoting his odds at $4. Other contenders included:
- Al Riffa – $8
- Half Yours – $11
As of 5:15 PM AEDT, Al Riffa has taken the lead at $5, followed by Half Yours at $6. Other competitors include Deakin, Furthur, Vauban, Absurde, and Valiant King, all listed with odds between $13 and $15.
Recent Performance
Sir Delius recently made headlines by winning the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on October 4. His victory in this 2000-metre race, where he bested the leading racehorse Via Sistina, significantly boosted his popularity as a frontrunner for the Melbourne Cup.
Upcoming Races and Prize Money
The Cox Plate is scheduled for next Saturday at Mooney Valley Racecourse. This race features a prize pool of $6 million, with the winner set to earn $4 million. The Melbourne Cup follows on November 4 at Flemington, boasting a prize pool of $10 million, with the victor claiming $4.5 million.
With Sir Delius out of the competition, the dynamics of both prestigious races will certainly change, affecting not only the contenders but also the betting landscape.
