Horse Racing

Melbourne Cup scratchings: Loft withdraws, added to non-runners list

We are so close to the Melbourne Cup that we can almost taste it. This classic event is set to be held in quite literally a few days’ time. The blockbuster Grade One race is, of course, the Melbourne Cup, yet there are other races taking place on the same day too. And since we are so close to the main event, we now have confirmation over which horses have been added to the list of Melbourne Cup scratchings. 

Melbourne Cup Scratchings

We also know which horses will be running on Tuesday, as well. The field has gradually been narrowed down from the list of entrants to the ones that will now be running. So we’ve gone from having a bunch of possible contenders into the now confirmed field of 24 horses. Anyway, you are no doubt wondering about who these horses are that have been mentioned in the Melbourne Cup scratchings publications. So let us get started with our explanation.

Meaning of ‘Melbourne Cup Scratchings’

The actual meaning of scratchings from the Melbourne Cup is something that still confuses people. So before we cover the list of scratchings, let us clarify what it means. Essentially, the Melbourne Cup scratchings list shows which horses have pulled out of the event after being added to the official list of entrants. If you recall, we mentioned that the entrant’s list has been narrowed down to the now-selected 24 participants. 

Things haven’t worked that way purely through a natural process of picking some horses and excluding others either. In fact, sometimes, it’s these withdrawals that have prompted the list to be narrowed slightly quicker than planned. Therefore, we think it’s about time to run you through the top Melbourne Cup scratchings that have been making headlines.

Major Melbourne Cup Scratchings

Of the several scratchings that we’ve witnessed thus far for the Melbourne Cup, there is one name that ranks above all others. That horse’s name is ‘Loft’, and amazingly, this horse was the second favourite to actually win the thing according to the ante-post odds. However, that’s the thing about ante-post odds, they are given so far in advance that scratchings for some of the listed horses are certainly possible. And sadly, it is Loft who has fallen victim to the harsh old world of Melbourne Cup scratchings for the 2022 event.

As stated, this horse was the second favourite to win the event on Tuesday. He was in good form, he was looking strong in previous races, and we are sure that his owner and jockey were hopeful for success at the Melbourne Cup. However, news broke over the last 24-48 hours that Loft was to be added to the list of scratchings after being assessed by vets on his ‘trot’ just the other day. This is a fairly standard process regarding the assessment of horses prior to major races. 

And while observing the trot, vets determined that Loft was displaying tendon issues in his knees. This isn’t the only top contender that has been scratched from the event either in recent days. In another terrible turn of events, especially for those who had backed him in the ante-post markets, the horse ‘Durston’ was also scratched. He had previously won the Caulfield Cup in recent times, so many were excited about watching him race at Flemington. 

Finally, another name that was floating around in the minds of racing punters was Makram. He wasn’t one of the top contenders to win the race, no. However, he was in the mix as a possible outsider, yet he has also been scratched. 

Top contenders following Melbourne Cup scratchings

Since a couple of big names have been removed from the line-up, it only makes sense to provide an update on how the race line-up is now looking. Of course, the loss of horses like Loft was terrible for those involved with the horse and for those who wanted to bet on him. However, the scratching of Loft has put the field wide open, and several horses are now looking more likely than ever to win this major event.

On that note, the two key favourites to win the Melbourne Cup are now Deauville Legend and Without a Fight. The odds for these two horses have shot up following the news of Loft’s scratching. And they now have odds of 3.75 and 8.50, respectively. In fact, the only other horse that comes close to these odds is Golf Trip, who has odds as low as 11.00 at certain bookmakers. 

Here are the latest odds on favourite Deauville Legend.

Melbourne Cup Bookie
Odds on Deauville Legend
Bet here

BET365Bet365 App

3.60

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LADBROKESLogo LADBROKES 2022

3.50

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CORAL
coral Melbourne Cup

 

3.50

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BETFRED
betfred melbourne Cup

 

3.50

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Melbourne Cup Scratchings FAQs

Will there be more scratchings between now and the event?

It is unlikely that there will be any more scratches, as the confirmed list of participants has now been published.

Where can I view a list of the major Melbourne Cup scratchings? 

A list of scratchings can be found on the Victoria Racing Club website.

Is it possible to place bets on your mentioned horses already?

Absolutely. Just check out some of the UK’s top bookmakers to see the odds on the new favourites for the Melbourne Cup.


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