Diamond Doubtful For Cup Date

Carte Diamond is 'very doubtful' for the Emirates Melbourne Cup on November 7.

Brian Ellison's unlucky five-year-old suffered a leg injury earlier in the month which could keep him out of the two-mile contest for a second consecutive year.

The son of Theatrical impaled his hind-leg on a metal stake after crashing through a running rail in a workout seven days before the race in 2005 and has undergone rehabilitation in Australia since.

Ellison will arrive in Australia today and is set to make a decision on the Ashley Carr-owned stayer's participation in the ?race that stops a nation' ? probably before the weekend.

'Dad's going to have a look at the scans and talk to the vets and go from there,' said Lorraine Ellison, daughter of the Malton-based handler.

'We'll then see how the leg goes to the treatment. We are trying to deal with the situation but it all depends on how the leg handles the work.

'If he can't handle it we'll stop and bring him back.

'He was all ready to run and this is just a complete setback.

'I think it's very doubtful he'll run at the moment, to be honest.'

(C) PA Sport