Gutted: Andrew Balding's Duretto ruled out of Melbourne Cup on veterinary advice

Andrew Balding's star stayer Duretto has been ruled out of next Tuesday's AUD$7.3 million Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington with a stress fracture to his near-fore fetlock.

The six-year-old went lame in his left foreleg after galloping at Werribee on Saturday and was kept at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre overnight for further tests after scans on Tuesday showed no identifiable issues with the horse.

Andrew Balding's representative Leanne Masterton said: "We're gutted, but thankfully it's been caught early and it'll probably be a six-month spell now but he'll be able to race on next year.

"It's gutting because we came over for the Cup but he's in one piece and still has a future. He ran such a good race at Caulfield. It's a long way to come to get sent home."

Masterton added: "He's in a syndicate now with Lord and Lady Blyth, the Ryans and the Bamfords and they'll have lunch and discuss it on Friday but he'll probably go for a spell at either the Ryans or the Bamfords as they've both got places down here.

"The plan was always to stay over here unless he went to Hong Kong, so we'll know more Friday. Fingers crossed he'll be back for the carnival next year."

Duretto covered the cost of the trip when finishing a good fourth in the Caulfield Cup, picking up £115,606.94 in prize-money. Duretto was a best-priced 33-1, but as short as 16-1, for the Group 1 Flemington showpiece on Tuesday.

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