Racing: The Melbourne Cup has been hit by tragedy with the news that English raider Wunderwood has been put down after a training mishap at Mornington racecourse in Melbourne.
The seven-year-old, trained by David Elsworth, sustained a serious injury to his near pastern while warming up for a gallop and the decision was made to put the horse down.
"Wunderwood went for a gallop at Mornington racecourse, (and) just in the warm-up he faltered and unfortunately broke his near pastern, multiple fractures," said Racing Victoria director of racing operations Leigh Jordan.
"I have spoken to David (Elsworth) and just basically he said it was multiple fractures, the horse was in a lot of pain, the right decision was to put the horse down."
Wunderwood was among a record 50 horses vying for a place in Australia's richest and most famous race following the third round of acceptances.
The final field of 24 horses will be decided after Saturday's last qualifying race at Flemington. Aidan O'Brien's Yeats is currently the favourite with bookmakers.