Defiantly scratched from Melbourne Cup as Kizlyar moves into the field

Joseph O’Brien’s Defiantly has been withdrawn from Tuesday’s $10.2 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Racing Victoria veterinarians declined to pass him fit at a repeat inspection at Werribee on Saturday morning.

His withdrawal promotes stablemate Kizlyar to 24th in the ballot order ahead of final acceptances closing at 4.30pm.

Defiantly had not been passed at Thursday’s inspections, when he presented without a right hind shoe and with a change in gait, and was re-examined after re-shoeing.

Stewards ordered his withdrawal on veterinary advice, Racing Victoria said.

The scratching removes the field’s expected pace-maker and one of the favoured European runners. Defiantly won his ballot exemption in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) at Deauville on August 23, leading throughout, increasing the pace well before the home turn and winning by 5½ lengths.

Kizlyar beat Defiantly by a head in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot. On his last start he finished 11th in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) at Flemington on October 24.

He is now one of five O’Brien runners provisionally inside the 24, along with Sons And Lovers, Trustyourinstinct, James J Braddock and Goodie Two Shoes, who was second for the stable last year. O’Brien has won the Cup with Rekindling in 2017 and Twilight Payment in 2020.

Veterinarians also re-inspected O’Brien’s Small Fry, 33rd in the order of entry, and found him no longer suitable to accept.

Wine Dark Sea (Harry Charlton) and Enfjaar (Roger Varian) passed their repeat examinations after showing improvement from Thursday. Saint George and Stinger Glass had already been withdrawn after imaging assessments.