Thursday 30 October 2014 09:01, UK
Andrew Balding has been left with just one runner in Australia on Saturday with Side Glance a late defection from the Mackinnon Stakes.
Last year's winner of the Flemington Group One had posted a solid fourth in the Cox Plate but was found to be sore on Wednesday morning and was officially scratched by Racing Victoria for what the stable vet reported as a "wrenched fetlock".
Before the official announcement, Balding said: "With a horse like this, he'd have to be 100 per cent to consider it."
Hong Kong awaits Side Glance now, while a start in Tuesday's Emirates Melbourne Cup would be ensured for Van Percy if he can land Saturday's Lexus Stakes.
Known in Australia as Lord Van Percy, the Ebor runner-up was fifth on his first outing Down Under in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield.
Should he emulate the victory of Ed Walker's Ruscello 12 months ago, the four-year-old gelding would earn a place in the meeting's showpiece.
"He came home really well in the Herbert Power and I couldn't be happier with him," said Balding.
"I think he goes there with every chance on Saturday, and if he did happen to win, he's got a real chance (in the Melbourne Cup).
Against Van Percy will be the former Peter Chapple-Hyam inmate Caravan Rolls On, who is also chasing a spot in next week's race after landing the Geelong Cup.
There is still some British interest in the Mackinnon through Roger Varian's John Smith's Cup winner Farraaj.
Andrea Atzeni will have his work cut out on his Flemington debut to defy stall 15 of 15.
Varian's assistant, David Eustace, said: "He had a bad draw at York. Hopefully they won't go mad, he jumps out and Andrea can see what everyone's doing."
