Update: Mongolian Khan has officially been scratched from the 2015 Melbourne Cup due to colic.
The Murray Baker-trained four-year-old was reportedly being treated on Thursday morning, with Racing Victoria Stewards advising more details would be available in the afternoon.
However, Baker advised that the horse would be scratched, with the stable taking no chances with the valuable stayer.
Mongolian Khan was third favourite for the Cup, at $10, and markets will change as he is ruled out.
The term ‘colic’ is a general one, and can be anything from where a horse suffers an short abdominal pain episode to a twisted bowel that would require urgent surgery.
The condition of Mongolian Khan isn’t known, with the horse being sent to the Werribee Vet Clinic for treatment.
40 horses remain in contention for the 2015 Melbourne Cup, with two horses, Mongolian Khan and Beaten Up now withdrawn since Monday’s announced of the next acceptances. 25th runner Sertorius and The United States now make the field should they wish to compete, while Dandino climbs ever closer to a Cup start at 26th.
Tyler Maund
Roar Rookie
Sad news, how unlucky for the Murray Baker team.
Razzar
Guest
Sad to see the Khan out. Drawn well he was a good chance. But the wind down of Fame Game by almost 5 percent is an insult to the punter. Why should a scratching at this stage. Move Fame game from a 22percent chance of winning the Cup to a 27percent chance of winning the big one. The simple answer is, they're just lousy. At present the market is somwhere around 130percent, that's huge room to move. the tote will be at 114 percent so fame games been over backd'. One scratching does Not improve other horses chance of winning by five percent. It's never been that simple. On your guard punters. As the great dr Turf has said " bookies don't want your respect, they want your Money"