Last year's winner Protectionist was on Thursday ruled out of next month's Melbourne Cup after bone problems were detected in his fetlocks, his trainer said.

The German horse won Australia's biggest race in 2014 by four lengths from England's Red Cadeaux on a day marred by the death of Japanese favourite Admire Rakti.

Trainer Kris Lees said the horse would need at least six months paddock rest to get over bone bruising to all four fetlocks after it pulled up lame following last weekend's Caulfield Cup in Melbourne.

"He pulled up really lame across his lumbar, back area on Sunday morning," Lees said, adding that diagnostic tests had shown bone disease in all four fetlocks.

"It's causing him to lose his action when he's under pressure."

The Melbourne Cup over 3200 metres (two miles) will take place at Flemington racecourse on November 3.
Source: AFP