A bout of colic has forced Mongolian Khan out of the Melbourne Cup, robbing the New Zealand horse of a chance to claim a rare double.
The winner of the Caulfield Cup, Mongolian Khan was in line to become just the 12th horse to capture both Cups and the first since fellow kiwi Ethereal in 2001.
Two overseas horses also caused concern on Thursday with Sky Hunter and Quest For More reported to have feet issues.
Both will be inspected before the 24-horse field is declared on Saturday.
Mongolian Khan, the winner of the New Zealand and Australian Derbys, was taken to the Werribee equine clinic and was reported to be responding to treatment.
“These things happen in racing,” Baker told Sky Sports Radio.
“We’ve sent him over to Werribee. It’s the best place for him to be and we’ll just go from there, but he’s out of the Cup.
“It’s what happens in racing. It’s an up and down game. You’ve got to take it, and just move on.
“We’ll take him back to New Zealand and hopefully go to Sydney in the autumn.”
In Mongolian Khan’s absence, Irish horse Max Dynamite has been heavily supported and is a $13 chance with Japanese runner Fame Game now at $3.60 with the TAB.
The Willie Mullins-trained Max Dynamite put in his strongest piece of work at the Werribee quarantine centre for a couple of weeks.
“He worked well this morning,” handler David Casey said.
“He did what we wanted him to do and we’ve just got to keep him in one piece now until Tuesday.
“It’s all about keeping to the routine that we have at home or as close to it.”
Three-time Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux has also kept up his routine with his English trainer Ed Dunlop happy but nervous ahead of the horse’s fifth Cup.
“It’s nerve-wracking watching the horse these days,” he said.
“You want the horse to stay OK. That’s the most important thing.”
Red Cadeaux has been accompanied to Australia by Trip To Paris who has already made an impression with his second to Mongolian Khan in the Caulfield Cup.
“He’s fit and well and seems to have adapted very well to here, Dunlop said.
“He will hopefully improve stepping up in trip.
“This year I think a lot of horses can win. The home team is stronger this year and with the internationals there’s more depth.”
Trip To Paris is the TAB’s $8 second favourite while Red Cadeaux is a $26 chance.
