The Lindsay Park-trained MakramĀ is the latest casualty from the Melbourne Cup.
News of Makram’s withdrawal comes hours after the second favourite for the 2022 Melbourne Cup, Loft, was withdrawn with a tendon injury leaving James McDonald without a Cup ride.
Racing Victoria vets and the international imaging panel that reviewed Makram’s CT scans on theĀ stayersĀ limbs, taken on Tuesday,Ā were of the opinion there was a heightened riskĀ of injury.
As a result, Makram has also been scratched from the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) on Saturday after Lindsay Park were chasing a late bid to squeeze into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday.
Lindsay Park issued a statement on social media saying there was an abnormality in Makram’s CT scan.
“Connections are very disappointed, but we respect and abide by the RV protocols and at Lindsay Park horse welfare always comes first,” the statement read.
With theĀ scratchingsĀ of Caulfield Cup winner Durston, Loft and Makram in the past 36 hours, the ballot order has been reshuffled.
Realm Of Flowers, who is down to run in the ArcherĀ but may miss the race, is now number 23 in theĀ Melbourne CupĀ Order of Entry with Bendigo Cup winner High EmoceanĀ sitting on the cut-off spot of number 24.
InterpretationĀ needs to win the Archer to claim a Melbourne Cup start while by finishing second or third SerpentineĀ and ChapadaĀ can force their way into the final field of 24 whichĀ will be declaredĀ at 4.30pm on Saturday.
The Robert Hickmott-trainedĀ SchabauĀ has been given until 7.30am on Saturday to prove his fitness after presenting lame in an RV inspection on Thursday.
