Luca Cumani’s eight-year-old grey Bauer has been cleared by Racing Victoria vets to run in the 2010 Melbourne Cup if the gelding makes it into the 24-horse field by final acceptance stage today at 5pm.

Bauer, who was nudged out by Viewed in a heart-stopping Melbourne Cup result two years ago, was in doubt of being cleared for a Cup run yesterday when Racing Victoria veterinarians examined a number of the Melbourne Cup hopefuls at Werribee.

Bauer was found to have a minor injury in his near fore hoof.

After being examined for a second time yesterday afternoon, Bauer has now been cleared with vets reporting significant improvement to the son of Galileo over the past 24 hours after he had been re-shod.

Connections of Bauer are now free to pay the final $49,500 acceptance fee for the 2010 Melbourne Cup today, with the $6 million showdown scheduled to take place as Flemington Race 7 on Tuesday November 2.

However, even if accepted there is no guarantee Bauer will get his chance in the world’s richest handicap.

Currently 24^th on the Melbourne Cup order of entry, if a horse below Bauer on the ballot wins either the Mackinnon Stakes or The Lexus Stakes at Victoria Derby Day today they will get an automatic pass into the Melbourne Cup field pushing Bauer out of contention.

Meanwhile, Danny O’Brien’s fully qualified Melbourne Cup runner Master O’Reilly will be further examined by midday today at Flemington’s Derby Day with vets still not satisfied with his condition.

For the full Melbourne Cup odds on all the entries head to Luxbet now and lock in the generous ante-post price on your favourites before they shorten with the official field and barrier draw this afternoon!