Melbourne Cup: Lunar Flare scratched, Interpretation passed fit

Tom Naghten

Melbourne Cup: Lunar Flare scratched, Interpretation passed fit image

The 2022 Melbourne Cup field has been cut to 22 runners after Lunar Flare was scratched following a vets check on race morning.

Lunar Flare and Interpretation were both assessed on Tuesday morning after presenting with lameness and the former was unable to be passed fit.

Play Central, watch all 3 Sky Racing channels live on the TAB app.

The scratching of Lunar Flare follows that of Point Nepean on Monday and leaves jockey Michael Dee and trainer Grahame Begg without a runner in the Cup.

MORE: Melbourne Cup 2022 betting guide: Tips, runner-by-runner preview, betting odds, field, barriers

Seven-year-old mare Lunar Flare had been sitting around $21 with the TAB at the time of the scratching.

A victory in the Bart Cummins over 2500m and a strong showing for second place in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup had many tipping Lunar Flare to run a big race.

Deauville Legend, currently sitting at $3.50 with the TAB, will start a big favourite in the Cup.

 

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.