Shock for Melbourne Cup odds hopefuls as St Leger winner is withdrawn.

Leading Melbourne Cup contender San Frontieres, the Irish St Leger winner and one of the hopefuls for an international victory, was withdrawn just hours before he was due to leave quarantine in the UK and board a flight to Australia.

Barry Simpson, racing manager for the horse's owner Sir Robert Ogden, said the horse was suffering a severe muscular problem, which was brought about by an enzyme imbalance.
He said the horse could not possibly make the trip in his present condition, which was devastating news for connections given the form that Sans Frontieres had been in in recent months.

Sans Frontieres had been due to arrive for the $6 million race with 2008 Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer and Illustrious Blue.

He was a $16 chance.

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