Another shock scratching three days out from Melbourne Cup

October 31, 2026 — 10:45amThe shape of the Melbourne Cup changed dramatically on Saturday morning after Irish import and expected pace-maker Defiantly failed a vet test.The Jospeh 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 Joseph O’Brien-trained Defiantly during a track gallop at Werribee.GettyThe 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.More to comeFrom our partners