Fellowes warns controversial vet checks are deterring Melbourne Cup raiders

Charlie Fellowes has predicted fewer international horses will compete in the Melbourne Cup in the future unless changes are made to the strict new veterinary rules on runners from overseas, which the trainer claims have been brought in partly due to pressure from Australian horsemen.

Despite being a critic of the new rules, which require horses travelling from abroad to undergo rigorous pre- and post-travel medical assessments among other stipulations, Fellowes has entered three-time Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince Of Arran for this year’s race due to the eight-year-old's affinity for the A$8 million (£4.25m/€5m) contest.

Prince Of Arran is one of 15 international horses entered for the Melbourne Cup, a drop of 15 from last year precipitated in part by the absence of runners from Aidan O'Brien or Godolphin's European trainers.