Outside hope Eclair Surprise has been scratched from Saturday’s $1 million Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington due to injury.

Eclair Surprise has been scratched from the Australian Cup. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia.

Racing Victoria announced on twitter this morning the South Australian was found to be lame in his near foreleg.

“FLEM feature race scratching: Race7 08-Eclair Surprise vet cert @ 9.19am LAME NEAR FORELEG,” the official Racing Victoria twitter account said.

The five-year-old was a $41 chance in what was to be his Group 1 debut.

Trained by Phillip Stokes, Eclair Surprise is lightly raced for his age, having won six of 14 starts.

The withdrawal of the Group 3 winner has seen the Australian Cup field reduced to 12 runners.

Heading the quality line up is Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon who will be having his second autumn start after running fourth to All Too Hard in the Futurity Stakes.

The import is a $3.80 favourite but will face stiff competition from the likes of three-year-olds Super Cool and Fiveandahalfstar, Perth stayer Mr Moet and proven Group 1 performers Mawingo and Glass Harmonium.