The 2022 Melbourne Cup field has been cut to 22 runners after Lunar Flare was scratched following a vets check on race morning.
Lunar Flare and Interpretation were both assessed on Tuesday morning after presenting with lameness and the former was unable to be passed fit.
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RV vets re-inspected Lunar Flare and Interpretation this morning ahead of today’s Lexus Melbourne Cup. Lunar Flare still presented with lameness in the off fore and was not passed fit.
— Racing Victoria (@RacingVictoria) October 31, 2022
Interpretation had improved upon inspection today and was passed suitable to race.
The scratching of Lunar Flare follows that of Point Nepean on Monday and leaves jockey Michael Dee and trainer Grahame Begg without a runner in the Cup.
MORE: Melbourne Cup 2022 betting guide: Tips, runner-by-runner preview, betting odds, field, barriers
Seven-year-old mare Lunar Flare had been sitting around $21 with the TAB at the time of the scratching.
A victory in the Bart Cummins over 2500m and a strong showing for second place in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup had many tipping Lunar Flare to run a big race.
Deauville Legend, currently sitting at $3.50 with the TAB, will start a big favourite in the Cup.