UPDATE: BEN ALLEN CONFIRMED TO RIDE THOMAS HOBSON IN 2017 MELBOURNE CUP FIELD AT 3:00PM (AEDT)

A replacement Melbourne Cup 2017 jockey is needed for the William Mullins-trained Irish raider Thomas Hobson in the famous Flemington Race 7 after the ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira was ruled out following a nasty fall in the fourth.

Jockey Joao Moreira has been ruled out from any more rides at Flemington including the 2017 Melbourne Cup mount on Thomas Hobson. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell.

The Hong Kong-based Brazilian hoop Moreira was up and walking after his mount Regal Monarch fell in the $120,000 Ronald McDonald House Charities Plate (2800m) on Melbourne Cup Day, which was eventually won by the Lindsay Park-trained Fanatic in an upset.

The Chris Waller-trained Regal Monarch walked himself on the float to the vet, in a positive sign, while Moreira was cleared of serious injury but not passed fit to ride again on the day.

It is a huge blow for the globetrotting jockey who was narrowly denied the Melbourne Cup win last spring crossing second on Heartbreak City behind the Lloyd Williams-owned Almandin.

His ride in the 2017 Melbourne Cup field Thomas Hobson was late to secure a run after Jon Snow was forced out of the race failing a veterinary check pre-final acceptances.

There are few remaining available jockeys free to get the late call-up on Thomas Hobson in the Melbourne Cup this afternoon, the Halling eight-year-old a 52kg lightweight, but Ben Allen is a possibility.

The latest Melbourne Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au on Thomas Hobson, first-up in Australia having last run second in the Group 3 Doncaster Cup (3599m) carrying 58.5kg in mid-September in Europe, are out from $19 to $21.

Stay tuned for all the 2017 Melbourne Cup tips and news on what jockey will replace Moreira on Thomas Hobson at 3:00pm (AEDT).