Caulfield Cup runner-up Saint George is out of the Melbourne Cup after failing the mandatory pre-race CT scans, owner Ozzie Kheir has confirmed.
The Ciaron Maher-trained stayer passed his initial trot-up on Thursday, but the scan results came back about an hour later and ruled him out, Racenet reported. He will now be spelled.
“He won’t be going, he failed the mandatory scans,” Kheir said.
“The scans came back about an hour after the trot ups. He’s failed, he won’t be running and will be out for the rest of the spring.”
Big blow for Maher’s Cup team
Saint George was 19th in the order of entry after third acceptances on Monday, with Blake Shinn listed to ride, according to Racing.com.
He ran second to Kingswood in the Caulfield Cup, firming into equal third favourite for the Melbourne Cup, before an eye-catching fifth in the Cox Plate at Flemington last Saturday.
Maher said Saint George “rocketed home” in the Cox Plate, The Age reported this week. Racenet said Maher remains on track for a record number of Melbourne Cup starters, with seven safely in the field.
Read more: Saint George Fails Initial Cox Plate Vet Inspection
The Euphrates moves into the top 24
Only 24 horses can start in the Melbourne Cup. Saint George’s withdrawal has promoted The Euphrates to 24th in the order of entry and Future History to 25th, Racenet reported, with Bendigo Cup winner So You Are 28th pending a weight penalty.
Horses outside the top 24 need others to drop out at final acceptances or fail the mandatory CT scans to get a run. Final acceptances close at 4.30pm on Saturday, 31 October.
Read more: Jamie Melham Picks Up Future History Ride for Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is run over 3200m at Flemington on Tuesday, 3 November.
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