Leading Melbourne Cup contender Rebel Raider has been pulled out of the Spring Carnival due to an injury.

The news has arrived at the worst possible time with x-rays confirming a chipped bone at the top of the off-hind sesamoid bone.

The injury was most likely caused by the stallion kicking out in his box and it will keep the horse off the track for three to five months.

Adelaide trainer Leon Macdonald is very disappointed as it was the first time one of his horses stood a great chance of winning the Cup.

As the first female jockey to win the Victoria Derby, Clare Lindop was also hoping to ride Rebel Raider to victory on Cup day to become the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup.

After an operation where the chipped bone will be removed, Rebel Raider has a 70-30 chance of making a full recovery.

Following his recovery, the 4 year old will return to light autumn racing however Macdonald will not enter the horse in the BMW or Sydney Cup as the horse cannot handle the right handed tracks.

The former Victorian and South Australian Derby winner was due to compete in tomorrow’s Makybe Diva Stakes however it is likely Rebel Raider will not return to Flemington until next year’s Melbourne Cup.