Japanese entire Stinger Glass has been officially withdrawn from contention for the 2026 Melbourne Cup, having failed to pass Racing Victoria’s mandatory pre-race veterinary scans.
Racing Victoria announced on Friday morning that an independent imaging review panel concluded the Yasuo Tomomichi-trained entire posed a heightened risk of injury. This conclusion was based on results from both CT and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans conducted this week.
Consequently, the six-year-old son of Kizuna has been prevented from racing for the remainder of the 2026 Spring Carnival.
“In accordance with the conditions of the Lexus Melbourne Cup, Stinger Glass was presented on Tuesday, 27 October 2026 at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre in Werribee for a compulsory CT scan of its distal limbs,” RV’s statement read.
“The three members from the independent imaging review panel assigned to review the CT scan results for Stinger Glass, reported to RV Veterinary Services that the CT scan results indicated the horse is currently at heightened risk of injury.”
“Given the imaging panel’s advice, in accordance with RV’s veterinary protocols, the Tomomichi stable was afforded the opportunity for Stinger Glass to undergo a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan which can help determine the status of an area of concern.”
“Stinger Glass presented yesterday afternoon (Thursday, 28 October 2026) for a PET scan at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre and the results were shared with three members of the imaging panel for review overnight Australian time.”
“Having reviewed the PET scan results alongside the CT scan results, the panel members have advised RV Veterinary Services that they remain of the view that Stinger Glass is currently at heightened risk of injury.”
“Following advice from RV Veterinary Services in relation to the specialist opinions from the imaging review panel, RV Stewards have this morning stood down Stinger Glass from competing in the remainder of the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival.”
Stinger Glass joins the Ciaron Maher-trained Saint George, another guaranteed Melbourne Cup entrant, as horses scratched from the prestigious $10 million Group 1 event due to the stringent scanning process.
In addition, three other horses are still awaiting official clearance to compete in the Melbourne Cup after failing Thursday’s initial physical examination. These horses are scheduled for re-examination by RV veterinarians prior to final acceptances.
The former favourite, Defiantly, was presented without a right hind shoe and exhibited a change in gait compared to previous veterinary examinations. This horse is slated for a re-examination on Saturday morning once re-shod, alongside Enfjaar and Wine Dark Sea.
Vauban and Litzdeel, who also failed Thursday’s inspections, were re-examined on Friday and have now been cleared as suitable to race.
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