Last year’s Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday is out of the spring carnival because of a virus.
Maluckyday was rated one of the leading chances for this year’s $6.2 million race at Flemington on November 1 but trainer John Hawkes confirmed the son of Zabeel’s campaign was over.
“He’s got a virus and is going to the paddock,” Hawkes told AAP.
Hawkes said the stayer had to be treated for the virus and the time-frame to the Cups made it impossible to have him ready.
Maluckyday rose to prominence last spring with wins in the Listed Tatts Club Cup and Group Three Lexus Stakes earning him a place in the Melbourne Cup.
As a four-year-old, Maluckyday beat all but the French-trained Americain in Australia’s biggest race.
Maluckyday was due to run second-up in Saturday’s Group One Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.
AAP TURF
