A key Melbourne Cup contender has been ruled out of travelling to Australia after he was found to be lame.
The Sir Mark Prescott-trained St Michel was well fancied in Melbourne Cup betting with connections of the UK stayer planning to make the trip to Australia after being given just 54kg when the Melbourne Cup weights were announced.
However Prescott confirmed that those plans had been shelved with the 5-year-old unable to enter quarantine.
“Unfortunately St Michel was slightly lame yesterday and he’s not sound this morning so he won’t be able to enter quarantine to go to Australia. It’s a great shame for the owners as he looked to have a nice weight in the Melbourne Cup.” Prescott said.
St Michael was a $23 shot in the Melbourne Cup all-in market.
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#SpringWatch: Trainer Sir Mark Prescott has advised RV that St Michel has suffered a setback and is unable to contest the 2017 #MelbourneCup
— Racing Victoria (@RacingInsider) September 22, 2017