So You Are Secures Melbourne Cup Spot

The horse earns a place in the field after Saint George is withdrawn due to diagnostic imaging results.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Equestrian

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a racehorse and jockey in full gallop on a dusty track at sunrise. — So You Are has secured a spot in the Melbourne Cup field at Flemington Racecourse following the withdrawal of the horse Saint George. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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So You Are has gained a starting position in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington following the withdrawal of Saint George. Saint George was ruled out of the race and the remainder of the Spring Racing Carnival after an independent panel identified a heightened risk of injury.

Why it matters

The entry of So You Are into the 24-horse field follows a strategic rehandicapping process. Saint George was sidelined based on results from mandatory medical imaging, underscoring strict safety protocols for the event.

So You Are will carry 54kg in the 3200m race after receiving a 1kg penalty for his recent Bendigo Cup win, bringing his total rehandicap to 2kg. Other competitors Sea King and Sayedaty Sadaty were also issued 0.5kg rehandicaps.

The players

So You Are

This horse secured his spot in the Melbourne Cup following a victory at the Bendigo Cup.

Saint George

The horse was withdrawn from the competition after diagnostic imaging indicated a heightened risk of injury.

The details

So You Are joins the field after an independent panel reviewed CT and PET scans performed on 28 October 2026. This entry maintains the field size for the Melbourne Cup scheduled for 3 November 2026.

Handicaps for the event were released in September 2026.
A PET scan was performed on Saint George on 28 October 2026.
Saint George was officially withdrawn on 29 October 2026.
The Melbourne Cup takes place at Flemington on 3 November 2026.

Season Trajectory

The late change to the Melbourne Cup field reshuffles the competitive balance for the remaining entrants. The withdrawal of Saint George alters the race lineup significantly just days before the event at Flemington.

So You Are will carry 54kg when competing in the 3200m Melbourne Cup. Punters should note that the field is now confirmed for the race on 3 November 2026 following the withdrawal of Saint George.

The takeaway

Racing participants must monitor medical scan outcomes as they significantly impact field entry and safety standards. Spectators and enthusiasts should update their race cards following these late changes to the 24-horse lineup.