By Shayne Hope in Melbourne

High-profile trainer Chris Waller has been questioned by stewards after his Melbourne Cup contender Asterix was found to have had the medication Penetrene administered to both forelegs in its stable just hours before Australia’s greatest race.

Asterix, part-owned by former New Zealand international cricketer Mark Greatbatch, was scratched from Tuesday’s $10 million Flemington showpiece.

Penetrene is used to relieve muscle soreness and inflammation, and is generally allowed to be used on horses – but no treatments are allowed on race days.

Racing Victoria chief steward Rob Montgomery told the Nine Network that early investigations had indicated Asterix was mistakenly treated with the anti-inflammatory.

“Unfortunately, there was a topical treatment applied to the horse this morning which is allowed during the week but not on race day,” Montgomery said.

“It just is an honest mistake but unfortunately has big consequences for the connections of the horse.

“Some of the owners were over from New Zealand to watch their horse run in the Melbourne Cup.”

Acting on a report from the Racing Victoria (RV) Compliance Assurance Team (CAT), RV Stewards today interviewed trainer Chris Waller, after it had been established that Asterix, which was engaged to compete in Race 7 at Flemington, the Lexus Melbourne Cup, was found to have had… pic.twitter.com/llyWn57GXn

— RVStewards (@RVStewards) November 2, 2026

Stewards will continue their inquiries into the circumstances with Waller later on Tuesday.

Asterix’s scratching leaves Waller with only one contender – $21 fancy Soul Of Spain – in the Cup. Asterix had been a $51 chance.

It also leaves 2020 Cup-winning jockey Jye McNeil without a ride in Flemington’s $10 million showpiece.

McNeil rebounded from the news to finish second with Royal Press in the opening race on the card, behind Damian Lane on Amelia’s Affair.

Meanwhile, popular jockey Harry Coffey has arrived at Flemington to ride Shockletz in the Cup, just two days after having a plate inserted to repair his fractured collarbone.

Coffey required surgery after his scary Victoria Derby day fall, but was all smiles as he flapped his ‘wing’ at punters when he walked towards the mounting yard.

Harry Coffey collarbone check ✅ pic.twitter.com/mgJVUgHLj5

— Racing Victoria (@RacingVictoria) November 2, 2026

Rival jockeys lauded Coffey’s bravery after he was declared fit by Racing Victoria’s chief medical officer Dr Ben Barresi.

“They always say jockeys are made of different stuff and he’s proving that,” said Rachel King, who will partner So You Are in the Cup.

“It just proves how much it means to us jockeys … Melbourne Cup day is the biggest day of the year.”

Superstar jockey James McDonald, who will ride Trustyourinstinct for Irish trainer O’Brien and billionaire owner-breeder JP McManus, rates Shockletz among the main challengers.

“(Coffey) is tougher than most of us,” McDonald said.

“It’s like a grand final for us jockeys and trainers. This is the race that stops the nation, so we’d get up for anything.”

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