Asterix Scratched from Melbourne Cup 2026

Asterix Scratched from Melbourne Cup – Trifecta News Summary:

• Chris Waller-trained Asterix has been scratched from the 2026 Melbourne Cup by Racing Victoria stewards.
• Stewards found the medication Penetrene had been applied to both of the horse's forelegs in his stable on race morning.
• The scratching cuts the Melbourne Cup field to 23 runners for the 3pm AEDT start.

The 2026 Melbourne Cup is down a runner before the first horse has even reached the mounting yard.

Racing Victoria stewards have scratched Chris Waller-trained Asterix from Race 7 at Flemington after a medication was found to have been applied to the horse on Cup morning.

For the latest on the scratching, the stewards' findings and the updated Melbourne Cup odds, here's everything we know so far.

Why Was Asterix Scratched from the Melbourne Cup?

It comes down to what was rubbed on his legs.

Acting on a report from Racing Victoria's Compliance Assurance Team, stewards interviewed Waller on Tuesday morning. They established that Penetrene had been applied to both of Asterix's forelegs in his stable that morning.

Racing Victoria describes Penetrene as a topical liniment marketed as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, used for muscle strains, sprains and soreness.

The key detail is the timing. Under the rules, anything given to a horse on raceday counts as a medication, and that includes something applied to the skin.

So, no Cup start for Asterix.

What Does It Mean for Chris Waller?

Waller now goes into the Cup with a single runner.

Soul Of Spain is Waller's only remaining hope in the race, after Asterix (No 9) was pulled from the field.

It also leaves Jye McNeil, who won the Cup on Twilight Payment in 2020, without a ride in the big one.

How Many Horses Are in the Melbourne Cup Now?

With Asterix out, 23 horses will line up in the Melbourne Cup at 3pm AEDT.

That's one fewer than the full field of 24 that was declared on Saturday night. The biggest team still belongs to Ciaron Maher, who has a record seven runners in the race, including Point Of Law, Juja Kibo and Shockletz.

Scratchings can come at any time up to the jump, so it's worth checking the final field before you settle on your selections.

Keep an eye on all the latest Melbourne Cup markets at Sportsbet as the field of 23 heads to the barriers this afternoon.

*Odds are subject to change.