Australia’s hopes of producing a local Melbourne Cup champion in 2009 were dealt a blow yesterday when it was announced that ante-post favourite, Efficient, has been withdrawn from the race due to injury.

Efficient is believed to have injured a fetlock during training, and the 5 year old grey will be out of racing for the remainder of the year.

”He worked yesterday morning and seemed fine afterwards, but now this,’’ Efficient’s owner Lloyd Williams said. “He looks like he will need three months complete rest so we’re not likely to see him again until next spring.’’

“He has strained the joint but we are not sure how it’s happened. He was super yesterday. But what can you do? That is racing.”

Efficient’s withdrawal from the race sees Aidan O’Brien’s Septimus unopposed as Melbourne Cup favourite for the first time since nominations closed in August.

Meanwhile, Yellowstone’s connections have reported that his injuries are not as severe as initially suspected and that the British entry is definite starter for the Melbourne Cup.

“We’ll get there,” trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said. “He was fine this morning, he cantered along nicely and the best thing was that he trotted up alright afterwards.”