Updated October 29, 2026 — 6:15pm , first published 12:55pm

Racing Victoria has stuck firm to its rigid safety protocols in the wake of the devastating Caulfield Cup horse death by scratching third favourite Saint George from Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.

Another four Cup runners – imports Defiantly, Enfjaar and Wine Dark Sea, as well as the Gai Waterhouse and Anthony Bott-trained Vauban – will have to undergo further vet tests on Monday before they can be passed fit to run.

Saint George is out of the Melbourne Cup after failing a mandatory pre-race scan. Getty Images

The four presented with changes in their gaits when inspected on Thursday.

Despite the alarming drift in the betting markets of Japanese runner Stinger Glass in recent days, sparking speculation about its welfare, Racing Victoria said the six-year-old stallion had not been inspected, and would undergo a vet test on Friday.

The forced removal of striking grey gelding Saint George, which failed mandatory pre-race leg scans this week, reduces…