Spring racing has been dealt a major blow with the news that star galloper Sir Delius has been ruled out of both the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate after veterinary scans revealed a potential injury risk.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained five-year-old underwent mandatory CT scans of his limbs this week at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre as part of Racing Victoria’s Cup clearance process. Those scans were assessed by a panel of international experts, who identified an elevated injury risk and recommended further examination via PET imaging.

The subsequent PET scans, reviewed on Thursday, confirmed the panel’s concerns, leading Racing Victoria stewards — acting on veterinary advice — to formally withdraw Sir Delius from both spring majors.

Sir Delius was among the leading fancies for the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley and the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington after consecutive Group 1 triumphs in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) and Turnbull Stakes (2000m).

His absence leaves a major hole in both races, with markets expected to undergo a dramatic reshuffle ahead of final acceptances.

Sir Delius was purchased by Australian connections with the specific goal of targeting both the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup, a rare double that has eluded the modern era.

Racing Victoria implemented advanced scanning protocols for Cup contenders in 2021 following the tragic death of Anthony Van Dyke in the 2020 Melbourne Cup. Since then, the enhanced veterinary program has ensured the safety of all runners across subsequent editions.

With Sir Delius now sidelined, punters can expect reshaped betting markets across both iconic events. The latest odds, offers, and feature-race specials are available via Australia’s top betting sites, the most searched destinations on Google for spring racing promotions.