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‘Honest mistake’: Melbourne Cup blow as top trainer embroiled in prohibited race-day treatment drama
- On Tuesday, Racing Victoria stewards scratched trainer Chris Waller's Melbourne Cup contender Asterix after discovering unauthorized medication Penetrene was applied to the horse's forelegs. The 8-year-old gelding was withdrawn hours before the $10 million feature race.
- Racing Victoria Chief Steward Rob Montgomery explained that Penetrene, a topical anti-inflammatory, is permitted during the week but prohibited on race day. Montgomery described the incident as an "honest mistake" by stable staff.
- Stewards fined Waller $50,000 after accepting the application was an error by stable staff. The horse, co-owned by former New Zealand international cricketer Mark Greatbatch, had been a $51 chance before disqualification.
- The withdrawal leaves Waller with only one remaining contender, Soul Of Spain, in the Flemington event. It also deprived 2020 Cup-winning jockey Jye McNeil of his planned ride in the $10 million showpiece.
- Waller accepted full responsibility for the "very simple mistake," citing the immense pressure of race day. The scratching stands for the 166th running of the Melbourne Cup, underscoring strict rule enforcement.
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‘Honest mistake’: Melbourne Cup blow as top trainer embroiled in prohibited race-day treatment drama
The 2026 Melbourne Cup field is down to 23 runners with the controversial scratching of Asterix on Cup morning, prepared by Australia’s leading horse trainer Chris Waller.
·Charlotte, United States
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Total News Sources14
Leaning Left2Leaning Right3Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution55% Center
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources are Center
55% Center
L 18%
C 55%
R 27%
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