RV Stewards' Report - Stinger Glass

Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, acting on specialist veterinary advice, have this morning ordered the withdrawal of the Yasuo Tomomichi-trained Stinger Glass from the entries for the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington next Tuesday, 3 November 2026.

In accordance with RV’s veterinary protocols for international horses wishing to compete in the Spring Racing Carnival and quarantine at the Werribee International Horse Centre (WIHC), Stinger Glass underwent a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan in Japan on 26 August 2026.

MRI scans are permitted for international horses only where the higher definition and preferred Computed Tomography (CT) scan is not reasonably available. In the case of Stinger Glass, Japan does not currently have a standing equine CT scanner. 

The results of all mandatory scans taken under RV’s veterinary protocols are reviewed by an independent panel of diagnostic imaging specialists which comprises representatives from the UK, USA and Australia. Three of the seven members are nominated to review the scans for each horse independent of one another.

The nominated panel members reported to RV Veterinary Services at the time that, based on the MRI scan results, Stinger Glass was suitable to continue his progression through the veterinary protocols and ultimately travel to Australia to compete.

After completing two weeks Pre-Export Quarantine (PEQ) in Japan where he remained in work, Stinger Glass was transported to Australia and arrived at the WIHC on Monday, 12 October 2026 where he has continued his training whilst completing his Australian Government-mandated two-week Post-Arrival Quarantine (PAQ).

In accordance with the conditions of the Lexus Melbourne Cup, Stinger Glass was presented on Tuesday, 27 October 2026 at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre in Werribee for a compulsory CT scan of its distal limbs.

The three members from the independent imaging review panel assigned to review the CT scan results for Stinger Glass, reported to RV Veterinary Services that the CT scan results indicated the horse is currently at heightened risk of injury.

Given the imaging panel’s advice, in accordance with RV’s veterinary protocols, the Tomomichi stable was afforded the opportunity for Stinger Glass to undergo a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan which can help determine the status of an area of concern. 

Stinger Glass presented yesterday afternoon (Thursday, 28 October 2026) for a PET scan at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre and the results were shared with three members of the imaging panel for review overnight Australian time.

Having reviewed the PET scan results alongside the CT scan results, the panel members have advised RV Veterinary Services that they remain of the view that Stinger Glass is currently at heightened risk of injury.

Following advice from RV Veterinary Services in relation to the specialist opinions from the imaging review panel, RV Stewards have this morning stood down Stinger Glass from competing in the remainder of the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival. 

The Stewards have appraised the connections of Stinger Glass, both in Australia and Japan, of the key information that they relied upon in making their decision.

ENDS

Background Information

The following is provided by way of background information:

• Stinger Glass was the final third acceptor for the Melbourne Cup to present for a CT and/or PET scan yesterday afternoon. The 34 horses that remain in the entry list as at 10am (AEDT) on Friday, 30 October 2026 have all presented with a satisfactory scan. Locally trained Saint George was the other third acceptor that was withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice including the specialist opinions of the imaging review panel.
   
• All horses (local or international) seeking to be a final acceptor for the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m), must have presented for a standing CT scan of their distal limbs by no later than Thursday, 29 October 2026. Final acceptances are taken for the Melbourne Cup at 4.30pm (AEDT) on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
   
• The opportunity to conduct a follow-up PET scan to further investigate the results of a CT scan was introduced to RV’s veterinary protocols in 2025 and has been utilised in both years of its availability.
   
• In addition to the mandatory pre-race scan, all horses seeking to be a final acceptor for the Melbourne Cup must also pass the first of two pre-race physical veterinary examinations on the Thursday (yesterday) or Friday (today) prior to the race. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Vauban and Danny O’Brien-trained Litzdeel who were not passed as suitable to accept yesterday were re-examined by a panel of RV veterinarians this morning and now passed suitable to accept tomorrow;
   
• All international horses travelling to Melbourne for the Spring Racing Carnival must pass a mandatory CT scan of their distal limbs, or an MRI scan if RV’s preferred CT scan is not reasonably available. They must also pass three physical pre-travel veterinary inspections, including one in PEQ, as well as a review of their medical and veterinary history before being granted approval to travel to the WIHC;
   
• Any international horse entered for the Lexus Melbourne Cup, Ladbrokes Cox Plate and/or Sportsbet Caulfield Cup, must undergo a CT scan of their distal limbs prior to each start in Australia. Any horse that undergoes an MRI scan in their homeland must submit for a CT scan in Australia, irrespective of what races they are targeting;
   
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – MRI uses magnetic fields and resistance to create high-quality three-dimensional images of bone, fluid and soft tissue. MRI shows an image of the physical change occurring during injury or disease. Multiple images are collected of an area of interest and can highlight different findings to CT and PET.
   
• Computed Tomography (CT) - The standing CT scanner allows efficient 3D imaging of the lower limb and identification of otherwise undetected bone damage. It is essentially cross-sectional radiographs and provides excellent, high-detailed images of bone. The quality and contrast of images created by CT is far superior to standard x-ray. In Australia, there is a standing CT scanner at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre at Werribee and another in Sydney.
   
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) - PET is a unique medical imaging procedure that shows activity of bone or soft tissue lesions at the molecular level in 3D imagery. The technology was trialled successfully in Victoria during the 2024 Spring Racing Carnival before being adopted into practice in 2025. The only PET scanner in Australia is located at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre at Werribee. Originating in the USA, PET technology is again being utilised by veterinarians overseeing horses competing in the Breeders Cup meetings in the USA, with the 2026 edition being run this weekend in Kentucky.
   
• The seven members of the independent imaging review panel are as follows:

1. Dr. Bruce Bladon, Specialist in Equine Surgery in England, UK;
2. Dr. Mathieu Spriet, Specialist in Equine Diagnostic Imaging, and Professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in California, USA;
3. Professor Peter Muir, Specialist in Veterinary Surgery and Co-Director of the Comparative Orthopaedic and Genetics Research Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA;
4. Professor Chris Whitton, Specialist in Equine Surgery and long-time Professor of Equine Medicine and Surgery at the University of Melbourne, AUS;
5. Dr. Alex Young, Specialist in Equine Diagnostic Imaging and Director of Alex Young Specialist Veterinary Imaging in Queensland, AUS;
6. Dr. Kyla Ortved, Associate Professor of Large Animal Surgery, Jacques Jenny Endowed Term Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Clinical Studies – New Bolton Centre, University of Pennsylvania, USA; and
7. Dr. Sarah Taylor, Director of Esk Veterinary Consultants and Head of Equine Diagnostic Imaging at the University of Edinburgh, UK.