Jakkalberry has been ruled out of the 2013 Melbourne Cup after failing to recover from a tendon injury suffered during his win in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold (2400m) in March.

Jakkalberry will miss the 2013 Melbourne Cup after failing to recover from an injury. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Connections were hopeful that the son of Storming Home would recover in time to contest the Melbourne Cup first-up but according to Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock managing owner Darren Dance the veteran stayer has not responded well since returning to trackwork.

“He had been in work for several weeks now with Marco (Botti) and overnight a scan of his tendon just showed some deterioration,” Dance told TVN.

“It was always going to be difficult for him to go first up into the Melbourne Cup and we’ve decided to back off him now and set him for Dubai next March.

“There was no point taking any risks with him.”

Jakkalberry is a seasoned international performer who has won races in Italy, The United States and Dubai as well as competed at Group 1 level in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan.

The striking entire finished a disappointing thirteenth in his Australian racing debut in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) last year but bounced back to finish an impressive third in the Melbourne Cup (3200m).

He travelled to Tokyo and finished eleventh behind Gentildonna in the Group 1 Japan Cup (2413m) three weeks later before being sent to the spelling paddock.

The seven-year-old returned to the races earlier this year and produced a very brave effort to win the Dubai City of Gold despite injuring his leg just before the running of the race.

“He was kicked behind the barriers before the race,” Dance said.

“He was passed fit to run by the vet and managed to win but the day after the race his leg blew out to the size of a football.”

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock could still prove to be a player during the 2013 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival with Dandino on track to arrive in Australia in September after running in the American St. Leger (2700m) on Saturday.