Leading Melbourne Cup hopeful Interpretation will be re-examined by vets on Friday after failing an initial physical inspection.

Racing Victoria made the announcement on Thursday evening after 17 of the 29 horses remaining in contention for the Melbourne Cup were inspected by veterinarians.

The inspections come before Saturday’s acceptance deadline.

The Ciaron Maher-trained interpretation was not deemed fit to race after veterinarians noted a change in the horse’s gait.

Interpretation was seen as one of the top Melbourne Cup hopes, sitting at $11 in the markets before drifting slightly to $13 after Thursday’s news.

In a statement, RV said the following 16 horses were inspected and passed their first physical exam before the race: Buckaroo, Circle of Fire, Fancy Man, Francesco Guardi, Just Fine, Kovalica, Land Legend, Maharajaan, Manzoice, Mostly Cloudy. , Okita Soushi, Positivity, Saint George, Sharp ‘n’ Smart, Valiant King and Zardozi.

The rest of the remaining hopefuls will be inspected for the first time on Friday.

A second pre-race veterinary inspection of all horses in the final field will be carried out on Monday by a panel of RV veterinarians.