Japanese raider Stinger Glass has been scratched from the Melbourne Cup after veterinary experts judged the six-year-old to remain at heightened risk of injury.
The Yasuo Tomomichi-trained horse failed a mandatory pre-race scan on Thursday, ruling him out of the race that stops a nation. His withdrawal gives Future History a place in the field and ends Jamie Melham’s wait to discover whether she would secure a Cup mount.
Stinger Glass was initially flagged as carrying an increased injury risk following a CT scan. His connections were then given the opportunity to put him through a PET scan in a final attempt to establish his fitness.
However, an expert panel reviewing both sets of results advised Racing Victoria’s veterinary services that the horse should not run.
“Having reviewed the PET scan results alongside the CT scan results, the panel members have advised RV Veterinary Services that they remain of the view that Stinger Glass is currently at heightened risk of injury,” Racing Victoria said.
RV stewards subsequently stood Stinger Glass down from competing in the remainder of the 2026 spring racing carnival. The stewards said they had informed the horse’s connections in Australia and Japan of the key information behind the decision.
Stinger Glass is the second horse to be ruled out by vets ahead of next Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, after Saint George was also scratched on Thursday.
Five runners are still awaiting clearance to confirm their places in the Cup. Defiantly is among them and was equal first in the order of entry, while Vauban, Enfjaar, Wine Dark Sea and Litzdeel are also waiting for approval from veterinary officials.
