Trainer Grahame Begg has been denied a start in a feature Cup race for a second time with Nonconformist being scratched from the Caulfield Cup.
Nonconformist presented with lameness in his right-hind leg on Thursday and was re-inspected by Racing Victoria vets on Friday before being withdrawn 2.53pm on veterinary grounds.
The scratching of Nonconformist paves the way for solitary emergency United Nations to gain a start in Saturday’s Group 1 Handicap over 2400m.
Last year Begg was forced to withdraw Lunar Flare from the Melbourne Cup after the mare was deemed lame in a pre-race Racing Victoria veterinary examination.
Fellow Caulfield Cup contender Without A Fight, who was also under a lameness cloud following his inspection on Thursday, was given the all-clear to start following a second check on Friday.
International runners Breakup, West Wind Blows, Okita Soushi and Valiant King were all given the all-clear to run earlier on Friday.
Nonconformist was a $41 chance in the market with online bookies.