Scorpion in doubt for Melbourne Cup

SCORPION (Ire) (Montjeu [Ire]), rated a 12-1 choice for the Melbourne Cup

(Aus-G1) on November 6, is in serious doubt for the Flemington race after

pulling up lame on Monday.

"Scorpion did his first bit of fast work (Monday) and the lads were pretty

happy, but this afternoon he appears to be lame, and we have spoken to (trainer)

Aidan (O'Brien)," Coolmore's Tom Magnier confirmed. "Scorpion is being X-rayed

this evening and we will know more in the morning. Aidan is coming down (en

route from Los Angeles to Australia on Tuesday) and we'll take it from there. We

just have to hope now."

As the highweight at 58.5 kilos, Scorpion would carry the number 1

saddlecloth in the Melbourne Cup. The five-year-old, winner of the Coronation

Cup (Eng-G1) at Epsom on June 1, was second in his last start to Yeats (Ire)

(Sadler's Wells) in the Irish St Leger (Ire-G1) at The Curragh on September 15.

Overall, Scorpion has six wins and four seconds from 15 career starts for

earnings of $1,759,808.