Racing Victoria vets will inspect Lucas Cranach prior to him taking his place in the 2011 Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday.

The German import is suffering from a foot abscess believed to have been cause last Saturday when he cast a plate during a gallop at the Werribee international horses quarantine centre.

The Caulfield Cup second favourite was moved to trainer Anthony Freedman’s Markdel stable on the Mornington Peninsula on Monday.

Freedman expects Lucas Cranach to run but while such a condition can clear quickly, it is painful for the horse and not an ideal lead up for the Cup.

Stewards will inspect Lucas Cranach on Friday. He drew perfectly in barrier three for his probable Australian debut.

Today’s draw was kind to most of the favoured runners with Cup favourite December Draw being allotted 11.

His trainer Mark Kavanagh remained bullish after the draw.

“He pulled up the best after the Turnbull. That (run) really brought him on,” Kavanagh said.

“It is pretty exciting because he has improved every run.

“I believe he’ll run (the 2,400 metre distance for the first time), we’ll have to wait and see.”

If the emergencies come out he will jump from barrier nine, the most successful Caulfield Cup barrier in the past 30 years with five wins.