Melbourne Cup: Bauer ruled out

English stayer Bauer finished second in the 2008 Melbourne Cup. Photo / Getty Images

English stayer Bauer has been ruled out of the Melbourne Cup due to a foot problem.

The 2008 runner-up underwent a veterinary inspection on Tuesday morning and was deemed unfit to run, reducing the field to 23 runners.

English trainer Luca Cumani had initially hoped the horse's problems had been rectified after his farrier altered the shoe on his near fore hoof.

Cumani still has another runner in the race in Manighar.

The Bart Cummings-trained So You Think remains a dominant favourite to win the 150th running of the Cup, to be run at 5pm NZT.

Bauer finished runner up behind the Cummings-trained Viewed in 2008.

- AAP