Lunar Flare will need to pass a veterinary inspection on race morning if she is to take her place in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup after Racing Victoria stewards detected an issue with the mare on Monday morning.

The Grahame Begg-trained seven-year-old was found to be lame during the second round of veterinary inspections.

She has been given until Tuesday’s 7.30am scratching deadline to prove her suitability to compete in the $8 million Group 1 over 3200 metres.

“RV vets have this morning commenced the second round of pre-race physical inspections of all runners in tomorrow’s Melbourne Cup,” RV said in a statement.

“The Grahame Begg-trained Lunar Flare presented with lameness in the off-fore and will be reinspected tomorrow morning prior to final scratching time.”

Lunar Flare is a $21 chance in TAB’s market and is to be ridden by Saturday’s Victoria Derby-winning rider Michael Dee.

The Melbourne Cup field is already down to 23 runners after the Robert Hickmott-trained Point Nepean was withdrawn o Monday morning.

“Robert Hickmott stable has advised RV Stewards that Point Nepean has returned elevated blood results and has been withdrawn from tomorrow’s Lexus Melbourne Cup,” RV said.