Melbourne Cup field reduced after scratching

The Melbourne Cup tract has been reduced to 23 runners with Point Nepean being scratched connected Monday morning.

The Robert Hickmott-trained stallion had been a $61 accidental with Bet365.

Racing Victoria said: "Robert Hickmott unchangeable has advised RV stewards that Point Nepean has returned elevated humor results and has been withdrawn from (the) Lexus Melbourne Cup".

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The Melbourne Cup does not person exigency horses, and truthful the barriers volition not beryllium afloat erstwhile the large contention jumps astatine 3pm astatine Flemington.

Point Nepean has been scratched from the 2022 Melbourne Cup. (Racing Photos via Getty Images)

The tract could yet beryllium reduced to 22 runners - oregon adjacent less - with $19 accidental Lunar Flare to acquisition different vet inspection connected Tuesday morning.

"The Grahame Begg-trained Lunar Flare presented with lameness successful the disconnected fore and volition beryllium re-inspected (Tuesday) greeting anterior to last scratching time," stewards said.

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