Trainer David Hayes' Melbourne Cup week lurched from bad to worse on Oaks Day when he was fined $2,000 by stewards.

The penalty arose out of an outburst by Hayes when he labelled Racing Victoria's veterinary stewards 'knuckleheads' after they ordered the scratching of Hayes' Melbourne Cup runner Changingoftheguard on the morning of the race.

Earlier on Oaks Day, Hayes was forced to withdraw his sole Oaks runner Livia when it failed to overcome a hoof injury.

In the opening race on Oaks Day, young gun jockey Nick hall consolidated his position in the Top 5 on the Melbourne Jockeys' Premiership when he scored on the John Sadler-trained Tintern in the Seven Two Plate (1800 metres). It was Hall's 14th winner of the season and put him equal third on the table with Craig Williams and Dwayne Dunn.

Tintern started $6.50 and scored by two lengths from $16 chance Lord Pindari (Luke Nolen) with $5.50 favourite Grail Jeuney (Steven King) a long neck away third.

The second race was delayed after two horses played up at the barrier and were late scratchings. Both Conquering Queen and Nuclear Force were withdrawn in separate incidents before the race got under way.

The eventual winner was the $6 favourite Very Discreet (Dwayne Dunn) which won by a half length from $8 Seeking Attention (Corey Brown) with $7 Serenissima (Kerrin McEvoy) a neck away third.

The Flemington track was upgraded to a Good 3 after the second race.