Japanese star Admire Deus is out of the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and his racing career may be over after seriously injuring his leg in a track gallop this morning.
The equal favourite for the Caulfield Cup was galloping at Warrnambool and being ridden by John Allen when he broke down.
The extent of the injury has not yet been fully determined by vets but Darren Weir's stable representative Jarrod McLean indicated the galloper's racing career appeared over.
"It is serious, everything is touch and go with him at the moment," McLean said.
"He was having his last gallop (before the Caulfield Cup) and he has injured his near front leg, to what extent we are not really sure.
"He has been splintered up.
"There was no issue with the track at all, it was perfect, it was just one of those very unfortunate things."
Admire Deus was taken to Ballarat Veterinary Practice.
Acceptances for the Caulfield Cup close at 10am Tuesday and the Darren Weir-trained galloper will not be in the field which paves the way for stablemate Amelie's Star to make the field.