When final acceptances for the Cup were taken at the conclusion of Derby Day, 29 horses had paid up to contest the $5.65million race.

Vigor was 25th in order of entry after the owners of New Zealand galloper Gallions Reach changed their mind late in the day and decided to accept for the race.

Their about-turn earlier in the day the Gallions Reach team had unofficially decided against a Cup start left Vigor's connections relying on the discretionary power of the Victorian Racing Club to elevate him into the final field.

But after deliberating for 25 minutes last night, the VRC committee opted to allow each of the top 24 horses to take their place in the field.

Earlier yesterday the field was turned on its head when one-time favourite Efficient, English galloper Kirklees and Zipping were all withdrawn through injury concerns.

Vigor, part-owned by Canberra's Jason Mathie, was the talk of Flemington when it was assumed he would sneak his way into the field.

Vigor was entered for yesterday's Mackinnon Stakes, a race where the winner was guaranteed a Melbourne Cup start.

But when it was confirmed early in the morning that Efficient and Kirklees had withdrawn, Vigor's owners gambled on gaining a Cup start and decided to scratch the horse from the Mackinnon.

It proved a heartbreaking decision as Vigor and his owners will now not be involved in Tuesday's race.

Mathie expressed his disappointment last night but accepted the situation admirably.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times