Irish stayer Defiantly scratched after failing vet check
Joseph O'Brien runner fails follow-up veterinary examination; stable had been quietly hopeful he would come good. Field to be finalised Saturday with barrier draw at 6.30pm.
Irish stayer Defiantly, expected to set the tempo in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup, was scratched on Saturday morning after Racing Victoria vets were unable to pass him fit to run, in the second shock withdrawal in three days.