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The international galloper failed a last-minute vet check on Friday morning after showing signs of lameness in his off-fore and off-hind leg on Thursday.

In a statement from Racing Victoria, six veterinarians examined Gold Trip over the two days and unanimously decided he was not fit to pass a pre-race veterinary inspection.

"Very, very disappointing," Maher told racing.com.

"He was stiff when he come off the plane, he's improved, Ollie (Damien Oliver) sat on him and gave him the green light and just for me, the horse has really freed up and working really well.

"The horse has passed all the scans, he's had no medical treatment at all or anti-inflammatories or anything and I feel the horse is fit to race."

On Thursday, jockey Damien Oliver and the stable's independent vet told racing.com said they were happy for Gold Trip to line up.

"Damien is certainly not going to want to ride a horse he doesn't think is moving right or at any more risk than any other horse," Maher said.

"Charlie my vet has been here every day and he's very comfortable for the horse to race.

"I think the scans and the process they've put in place to reduce catastrophic injury, I think that's good.

"But there are a few inconsistencies there and I'm sure they will probably rectify the process as they move into next year."

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