‘Heartbreaking’ withdrawal rocks Melbourne Cup preparations, leaving Damien Oliver left without ride

A legendary jockey has been left without a horse for next Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup after specialists made a concerning pre-race find.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival Country final. Photo by Michael Klein.

The race that stops the nation is almost here.

The 162nd running of the great race will take place on Tuesday at 3pm AEDT, with a field of 24 local and international horses racing over 3200m at Flemington.

The Melbourne Cup Order of Entry was initially released on September 15, but has since been updated several times by Racing Victoria.

It was updated again on Thursday morning with news Caulfield Cup winner Durston had been ruled out of contention following a mandatory pre-race scan.

The scan revealed Durston, a $13 equal-third favourite for the Melbourne Cup, had a “grey area” in his left hind leg.

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Specialists determined the best course of action would be to rule the Chris Waller-trained horse out of the great race, although they weren’t entirely sure the scan result was anything to be worried about.

Legendary jockey Damien Oliver has therefore been left without a ride for the Melbourne Cup at this stage.

Durston during trackwork at Flemington Racecourse on October 25, 2022 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Michael Dee riding Durston after winning Race 9, the Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup, during Caulfield Cup Day at Caulfield Racecourse on October 15, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

“The specialists cannot determine whether it is old or new, or whether it is even something to be concerned about, but we must respect this,” Waller said.

“It is all about safety, for the horse, and for the rider and the longevity of the horses. It is very disappointing for all connections of the horse, as well as my stable, because so much time and effort goes into these horses; it’s just heartbreaking.

“Durston is sound, he galloped well on Tuesday morning and my vet trotted him up following this however we must respect modern science and learn from this. The horse will undergo an MRI scan to investigate further.”

Racing Victoria said in a statement: “In accordance with the conditions of the race, Durston was presented at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre in Werribee on Friday, 21 October for compulsory CT scans of its distal limbs.”

Damien Oliver and Jamie Kah pose with the Melbourne Cup during the Melbourne Cup Carnival Launch at Flemington Racecourse on October 24, 2022 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

“Reports received from the members of the international imaging panel who reviewed Durston’s CT scan results indicate that the horse is at heightened risk of injury.

“Acting on the specialist advice received from the international imaging panel, trainer Chris Waller has been informed by RV Veterinary Services that Durston is unsuitable to compete in the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

“Accordingly, Durston will not feature among the final acceptances for the Lexus Melbourne Cup when taken at 4.30pm (AEDT) on Saturday, 29 October 2022.”

The final field of 24 Melbourne Cup runners will be decided on Saturday night at the Melbourne Cup barrier draw which will take place at the conclusion of the Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens.

Updated Melbourne Cup Order of Entry

Horse – trainer – ballot – weight

1. LUNAR FLARE — Grahame Begg — 2 — 51.5kg

2. POINT NEPEAN (IRE) — Robert Hickmott — 3 — 51kg

3. DEAUVILLE LEGEND (IRE) — James Ferguson — 4 — 55kg

4. GOLD TRIP (FR) — Ciaron Maher & David Eustace — 5 — 57.5kg

5. DUAIS — Edward Cummings — 6 — 55.5kg

6. MONTEFILIA — David Payne — 7 — 55.5kg

7. HOO YA MAL (GB) — Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott — 8 — 53.5kg

8. KNIGHTS ORDER (IRE) — Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott — 9 — 55.5kg

9. LOFT (GER) — Marcel Weiss — 10 — 55.5kg

10. WITHOUT A FIGHT (IRE) — Simon & Ed Crisford — 11 — 55.5kg

11. NUMERIAN (IRE) — Annabel Neasham — 12 — 55.5kg

12. CAMORRA (IRE) — Ben & JD Hayes — 13 — 55kg

13. ALEGRON — James Cummings — 14 — 53kg

14. STOCKMAN (NZ) — Joseph Pride — 15 — 54kg

15. YOUNG WERTHER (NZ) — Danny O’Brien — 16 — 54kg

16. VOW AND DECLARE — Danny O’Brien — 17 — 54kg

17. GRAND PROMENADE (GB) — Ciaron Maher & David Eustace — 21 — 53kg

18. TRALEE ROSE (NZ) — Symon Wilde — 22 — 51.5kg

19. DAQIANSWEET JUNIOR (NZ) — Phillip Stokes — 23 — 53kg

20. ARAPAHO (FR) — Bjorn Baker — 25 — 52.5kg

21. CRYSTAL PEGASUS (GB) — Chris Waller — 26 — 52kg

22. SMOKIN’ ROMANS (NZ) — Ciaron Maher & David Eustace — 28 — 51.5kg

23. EMISSARY (GB) — Michael Moroney — 29 — 51.5kg

24. REALM OF FLOWERS — Anthony & Sam Freedman — 30 — 50kg 8.5

25. INTERPRETATION (IRE) — Ciaron Maher & David Eustace — 32 — 50kg

26. MAKRAM (IRE) — Ben & JD Hayes — 33 — 50kg

27. KING OF THE CASTLE (IRE) — Robert Hickmott — 37 — 50kg

28. SERPENTINE (IRE) — Robert Hickmott — 40 — 53.5kg

29. CHAPADA — 7Michael Moroney — 41 — 52.5kg

30. SAN HUBERTO (IRE) — Matt Cumani — 42 — 51.5kg

31=. HARMYSIAN (GB) — Clayton Douglas — 43= — 50kg

32=. HIGH EMOCEAN (NZ) — Ciaron Maher & David Eustace — 43= — 50kg

33=. SCHABAU (GER) — Robert Hickmott — 43= — 50kg

Originally published as ‘Heartbreaking’ withdrawal rocks Melbourne Cup preparations, leaving Damien Oliver left without ride