Melbourne Cup 2023: Racing Victoria Vets Reassess Four Horses as Final Lineup Forms
As the final lineup for the 2023 Melbourne Cup takes form, concerns have emerged regarding several prominent horses. Racing Victoria veterinarians conducted preliminary examinations and flagged potential issues with four competitors. They will undergo additional evaluations before the lineup is finalized.
Key Updates on Horses
The horses slated for re-examination include:
- Flatten The Curve ($26 odds) – Noted for a change in gait.
- Absurde ($18 odds) – Also displaying a change in gait.
- Goodie Two Shoes ($34 odds) – Shares similar gait concerns.
- Interpretation – Presenting with soreness in his right front foot after the Bendigo Cup.
These evaluations are scheduled for Saturday morning, while Interpretation will be checked again today. Despite his setbacks, Interpretation remains in contention, currently positioned 32nd in the order of entry.
Insights on Flatten The Curve
Flatten The Curve is trained by Henk Grewe and impressively has never lost on turf. This German-bred horse is ridden by Thore Hammer-Hansen, a talented Danish jockey. Hammer-Hansen, only 25 years old, has secured the last two jockey championships in Germany.
Leigh Jordan, the Victorian Racing Club general manager, praised both the horse and its jockey, stating, “He could fly under the radar a bit. A bit of a roughie there.”
Examination Results from Thursday
A total of 34 horses were examined, and 29 were cleared to enter the race. Racing Victoria confirmed that these horses meet all conditions for participation in the Melbourne Cup. The complete list of approved horses includes:
- Half Yours
- Onesmoothoperator
- Parchment Party
- Torranzino
- Valiant King
- Al Riffa
- Buckaroo
- Arapaho
- Vauban
- Chevalier Rose
- Presage Nocturne
- Furthur
- Middle Earth
- Meydaan
- Land Legend
- Smokin’ Romans
- River Of Stars
- More Felons
- Changingoftheguard
- Athabascan
- Royal Supremacy
- Sayedaty Sadaty
- Birdman
- Post Impressionist
- Scary
- Trav
- Etna Rosso
- Whisky On The Hill
- Golden Snap
Updated Order of Entry
As of October 30, 2025, the following horses lead the order of entry:
| Position | Horse Name | Trainer | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Yours | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 53 |
| 1 | Onesmoothoperator | Brian Ellison | 53 |
| 1 | Parchment Party | William Mott | 52 |
As the Melbourne Cup approaches, the next few days will be crucial in determining the final contenders. With the recent examinations and horse withdrawals, the race is more unpredictable than ever.
