Melham’s Cup charge cops hit with Saint George out

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 30, 2026

Jockey Jamie Melham faces uncertainty about competing in this year’s Melbourne Cup as her horse, Future History, remains just outside the 24-horse entry cutoff despite withdrawals improving its position. The field is highly competitive with favorites Point Of Law and Trustyourinstinct leading betting markets, while key contender Saint George has been withdrawn due to a failed PET scan, underscoring the strict safety protocols in place.

Reigning Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jamie Melham faces uncertainty over participating in this year’s race as his mount, Future History, finds itself outside the initial cutoff for entries. Despite recent withdrawals from the field, Future History is positioned 26th in the order of entry, effectively just outside the 24-horse limit. The withdrawal of Saint George on veterinary advice and The Euphrates, ruled out by their stable, technically moved Future History up to 25th place, but the horse remains under the cutoff. Meanwhile, So You Are jumped from 28th to 24th after receiving a 1kg penalty for winning the Bendigo Cup.

Melham, who last year secured a rare Melbourne Cup double on Half Yours, described this year’s build-up as challenging. “It’s a different feeling this year, for sure,” she said, acknowledging the role of luck in racing. A four-meeting suspension for careless riding also sidelines Melham from Derby Day, though her husband Ben Melham will ride Satono Glow in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Saturday.

Saint George, trained by Ciaron Maher and considered a strong contender after impressive performances including a Caulfield Cup runner-up finish and fifth place in the Cox Plate, was withdrawn Thursday following failure to pass mandatory pre-race CT scans. The scans, part of safety protocols introduced in 2021 aimed at preventing catastrophic injuries, are reviewed by an independent panel of diagnostic imaging specialists from Australia, the UK, and the USA. While Saint George cleared the initial veterinary trot-up, a subsequent positron emission tomography (PET) scan detected concerns that led to the horse’s withdrawal. Owner Ozzie Kheir confirmed Saint George will be spelled for the remainder of the spring.

In the Melbourne Cup betting market, Point Of Law is the favorite at $6, followed by Trustyourinstinct at $7 and Hopewell Rock at $9. Melham remains hopeful that Future History will improve with each start and that the horse’s talent could yield a chance on race day. “Anything can happen, you have to be in it,” she said.

Elsewhere in Sydney, trainer Chris Waller is preparing a four-horse challenge for the $10 million Group 1 Golden Eagle at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Sheza Alibi enters as the $1.75 favorite, with Waller’s Beiwacht and Autumn Boy seen as key threats at $7 and $9 respectively. Waller acknowledged the difficulty his challengers face, noting Autumn Boy would need to deliver a career-best performance to overcome Sheza Alibi, who has dominated recent Group 1 mile races, including victories over Autumn Boy.

Beiwacht, a three-time Group 1 winner making his Golden Eagle debut, may provide a significant challenge. “Beiwacht will keep them all honest and they have to get past him,” Waller said. Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton will ride Autumn Boy, while Nash Rawiller is engaged on Beiwacht. Mr Miller, Waller’s other contender and considered a longer shot at $26, has shown steady improvement and will be ridden by Zac Lloyd. Estremo is also in the field, offered at $126.

The Melbourne Cup field remains highly competitive as connections await final declarations and overnight track conditions ahead of Tuesday’s race at Flemington.

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