High temperature rules Torcedor out of Melbourne Cup

The Lexus Melbourne Cup has lost one of its headliner acts after it was confirmed a high temperature for Torcedor, who was as short as 16-1, has halted his charge to Australia this spring.

Torcedor, who was purchased by Australian Bloodstock this summer primarily for this year's Melbourne Cup, has had a spike in temperature and so was unable to begin his mandatory two-week quarantine period in Germany in preparation for the trip.

Jamie Lovett, of Australian Bloodstock, said while the news was disappointing, he remained upbeat that Torcedor still has plenty to offer in the future.

"He's only had 20 starts and we bought him with the view that he'd be long term," Lovett said.

"He's a gelding and very sound so we can race him for another couple of seasons if we look after him."

Lovett said the trouble began as the horse was being prepared to enter quarantine.

"He was due to go into quarantine in Germany but he left some feed the night before so they pulled some blood and there was a low-grade virus there and so they wouldn't let him into quarantine," he explained.

"He's too good a horse to take a risk with. I don't want to travel a horse when they are flat as it can bring on travel sickness."

Lovett said no decision had been made on the horse's immediate future.

"Because he's had a long season, we might just decide to give him a break and target the Sydney Cup and maybe even take him back to Ascot because he's got form there," Lovett said.

"We've got next spring to consider as well in Melbourne."

The Willie Mullins-trained Max Dynamite, who finished third in the race 12 months ago, will not be travelling, nor will his stablemate Thomas Hobson.

Aidan O'Brien's Irish St Leger winner Flag Of Honour doesn't go, along with Kew Gardens, who is as short as 10-1 for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on October 7.

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