The shape of the Melbourne Cup changed dramatically on Saturday morning after Irish import and expected pace-maker Defiantly failed a vet test.
The Joseph O’Brien stayer has set European racing alight in the past six months by adopting daring catch-me-if-you can tactics and was expected to turn Tuesday’s 3200m race at Flemington into a gruelling test of stamina that would suit the Europeans.
The five-year-old gelding had sensitivity in a hind foot when first inspected at Werribee earlier this week, but the O’Brien stable was quietly hopeful it would come good by the follow-up veterinary examinations today.
But Racing Victoria vets were unable to pass it fit ton run.
The scratching means that another O’Brien runner, Kizlyar, will make the starting 24.
Defiantly, purchased by Australian Bloodstock earlier in the year with the Melbourne Cup always its focus, is part-owned by media identities Yvonne Sampson and her husband Chris O’Keefe.
Dozens owners and their friends and families are in Melbourne for the race and are said to be devastated to have come so far, only to be scratched at the 11th hour.
More to come
