Although agreeing with trainer Brian Ellison's assertion that the leg injury has improved, the five-year-old will not be given clearance to tackle the November 7 feature.

"The stewards went down to assess him and they have said it's a no-go," said Lorraine Ellison, daughter of the Malton-based handler.

"My dad says he looks fantastic and they agreed the leg has improved a lot.

"He's probably 90 per cent right but the stewards were not totally happy and it doesn't take much for them to say no - we don't have a say in the matter."

Owner Ashley Carr is being denied the chance to run for a second successive year after Carte Diamond also missed out last term after he impaled his hind-leg on a metal stake when crashing through a running rail in a workout at Flemington seven days before the race.

The Ellison team now plan to bring the Theatrical entire back to Britain with the intention of a Flat campaign next year.

"We will bring him home now and give him a rest before trying to get him ready for the Northumberland Plate," added Miss Ellison.

"I'll be happy to see him home and in one piece as we nearly lost him last year and he is such a star.

"We're all gutted here though and particularly so for the owner and dad."

Carte Diamond was a 33-1 chance with Paddy Power for the two-mile Melbourne Cup.