English stayer Duretto has been ruled out of the Group 1 $7.3m Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday because off a stress fracture in his left foreleg.

Best Solution, on the inside in royal blue colours and Homesman above, fight out the finish of the 2018 Caulfield Cup. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Andrew Balding trained Duretto has raced once in Australia for an eye catching fourth to Best Solution in the Group 1 $5m Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 20 but pulled up lame after a gallop at the Werribee International Horse Centre last Saturday.

After undergoing extensive tests, it was found that Duretto was suffering from a stress fracture in the near side foreleg and Racing Victoria stewards subsequently withdrew him from the Melbourne Cup and released the following statement.

“Racing Victoria (RV) stewards advise that the Andrew Balding-trained Duretto has been ruled out of the Spring Racing Carnival after tests revealed the horse has sustained a stress fracture in his left foreleg.”

“Duretto was lame in his left foreleg following a track gallop at the Werribee International Horse Centre (WIHC) on Saturday, 27 October and has since had multiple tests conducted to assess whether the horse is in a suitable condition to race.”

“After receiving the results of tests conducted today at the University of Melbourne (UoM) Equine Centre, which included nerve blocks and x-rays, Mr Balding took the decision to withdraw Durretto from Tuesday’s $7.3 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.”

Doretto was rated a $16 chance at Ladbrokes.com.au when he was withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup and with him out of calculations, the New Zealand trained Sir Charles Road and Zacada have now scraped into contention for the famous two miler at twenty-three and twenty-four in the order of entry.

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott trained Sir Charles Road is marked at $101 for the Melbourne Cup after running third to Red Alto in the Group 3 $350,000 Jayco Bendigo Cup (2400m) at Bendigo on Wednesday while Zacada from the Cambridge stables of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman is listed at $201 after running twelfth in the Group 3 $350,000 Geelong Cup (2400m) at Geelong on October 24.

The Aidan O’Brien trained Irish stayer Yucatan remains at the top of the Melbourne Cup betting at $4.50 ahead the English raiders Cross Counter and Magic Circle at $9.

Early betting for the 2018 Melbourne Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.50 Yucatan, $9 Magic Circle, Cross Counter, $11 Avilius, $12 Muntahaa, $14 Best Solution, $16 The Cliffsofmoher, $17 Youngstar, Marmelo, Rostropovich, $21 Finche, $26 Ventura Storm, $34 Runaway, Sound Check, $41 Chestnut Coat, A Prince Of Arran, Red Verdon, $51 Jaameh, Thinkin’ Big, $61 Ace High, Who Shot Thebarman, $81 Brimham Rocks, Tosen Basil, Vengeur Masque, $101 or better the rest.