The NZ hope for the Melbourne Cup, Mongolian Khan, has officially been scratched from the race 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.
