Overview
- Racing Victoria’s Compliance Assurance Team reported Penetrene had been applied to Asterix in its stable on Tuesday morning and stewards ordered the horse withdrawn at 10:33am.
- Penetrene is a topical anti‑inflammatory liniment used for muscle soreness and Racing Victoria says any substance applied on race day is treated as a prohibited medication.
- Trainer Chris Waller accepted responsibility and said stable staff mistakenly applied the liniment under race‑day pressure while the treatment is routinely used on other days.
- Asterix’s scratching removed jockey Jye McNeil’s ride and left Waller with only Soul Of Spain in the $10 million Melbourne Cup field.
- Stewards have taken evidence from Waller, his stable staff, the CAT’s Tim George and RV regulatory vet Dr Edwina Wilkes and say further inquiries and possible regulatory action will follow.