Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jamie Melham will have the chance to defend her crown aboard long-shot Future History, after Japanese raider Stinger Glass was ruled out of Australia's greatest race.
Yasuo Tomomichi-trained Stinger Glass failed a mandatory pre-race scan, deemed by vets to be "at heightened risk of injury" ahead of Tuesday's $10.2 million feature.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will have a shot at Cup glory after evergreen veteran Vauban was deemed suitable to accept.
Vauban and Danny O'Brien-trained Litzdeel were not passed fit on Thursday, but were re-inspected on Friday and given the green light.
Stinger Glass is the second horse to be ruled out after Ciaron Maher-trained Saint George also failed a scan.
The rulings come with Racing Victoria sticking to rigid safety protocols after Ohope Wins was euthanised following a Caulfield Cup fall two weeks ago.
The enforced withdrawal of Stinger Glass followed an alarming drift in betting markets for the Japanese stayer, which sparked speculation about its welfare.
It means Gregory Hickman-trained import Future History moves up the order of entry and into the Cup field, which will be finalised on Saturday night.
The barrier draw will take place at Flemington after the last race of the Derby Day card.
Melham claimed a historic Melbourne-Caulfield cups double last year aboard Half Yours, becoming the second female jockey behind Michelle Payne to win Australia's most famous race.
The 30-year-old could break new ground again if she becomes the first female jockey to defend her Melbourne Cup crown.
Mark Zahra was the last jockey to claim successive Melbourne Cup triumphs, steering Gold Trip and Without A Fight to victory in 2022-23.
Melham won't ride at Flemington on Derby Day after she was unable to overturn a careless riding suspension, and will instead perform media duties.
