Lunar Flare scratched again

Lunar Flare has failed an on-course veterinary test and has again been scratched from a Flemington feature.

Racing Victoria stewards announced at 11:49am (AEDT) that the mare had failed an on-course veterinary inspection ahead of Saturday’s Group 3 Queen’s Cup, after earlier being passed fit to race by trainer Grahame Begg’s vets before the 7:30am official scratching time.

The Moonee Valley Cup winner was scratched from the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday morning with a foot issue.

Begg said he felt the mare was sound to race after his vets had advised him so.

The scratching of Lunar Flare from the 2600-metre Queen’s Cup has left import Soulcombe as the warm favourite for his Australian debut.