Melbourne Cup field: Australian Bloodstock struck by late scratch and worst
Horse Defiantly was scratched Saturday after veterinary checks. This left Australian Bloodstock's remaining three runners with the widest possible Melbourne Cup barriers.
Australian Bloodstock's Melbourne Cup campaign was upended over 48 hours this weekend. Defiantly, their overseas import, was withdrawn late Saturday after a veterinary check.
The withdrawal reduced the group's runners from four to three. The withdrawal upset co-director Luke Murrell, who felt for owners excited for months.
Defiantly got a bruise to his hoof after kicking a wall earlier in the week. The horse was improving but stewards said he couldn't run.
The remaining three runners, Royal Supremacy, Vauban and Wine Dark Sea, drew the worst possible barriers. All three were placed together in gates 21, 22 and 23.
Wide barriers greatly reduce winning chances at Flemington's two-mile feature. Australian Bloodstock have won the Melbourne Cup twice before, with Protectionist in 2014 and Gold Trip in 2022.
- 3
- Runners remaining
- 21, 22, 23
- Barrier gates assigned
- Protectionist (2014), Gold Trip (2022)
- Previous Melbourne Cup wins
Why it mattersOutside barriers make winning much harder. Losing a fourth runner hurt Australian Bloodstock's chances. Drawing the widest gates together made things worse in racing's richest turf race.
AustraliaThe Melbourne Cup, Australia's most famous horse race, is a major national sporting event worth AUD 10.2 million to the winner.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
