Young Werther cruelly rubbed out of the Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is edging closer but it’s bad news for the Danny O’Brien-trained Young Werther, who has been ruled out with injury.

Trainer Danny O’Brien confirmed on Monday that Young Werther won’t take his place in Tuesday week’s Melbourne Cup.

O’Brien put out a statement revealing that a CT scan discovered “an area of concern” which would’ve rendered his participation in the two-mile (3.2km) feature a risk to his welfare.

Punters.com.au reports the triple G1 placegetter was firmly in the field at 12th in the order of entry at the time of the announcement.

Young Werther finished eighth in the Caulfield Cup behind Incentivise earlier this month, having got within half-a-length of him in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington the start prior.

O’Brien said while they were disappointed, connections were grateful the preventative measure “has been found early”.

“Young Werther’s CT scan has highlighted an area of concern & he will not be running in the @Lexus Melb Cup,” O’Brien tweeted.

“It’s disappointing news, but we fully support the RVL protocols. We are grateful that an issue has been found early & we can reset for next year.”

Young Werther was rated a $34 shot for the Cup at the time of the announcement.

Fourth acceptances for the Melbourne Cup closed on Monday.

Young Werther won’t get a chance to shine on the first Tuesday in November. (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images).

This story originally appeared on punters.com.au and was reproduced with permission