Scratched Caulfield Cup favourite ‘bright and alert’ despite injury

Former Caulfield Cup favourite Admire Deus could race again despite suffering a bad  leg injury while training at Warrnambool.

Darren Weir's assistant trainer Jarrod McLean said the seven-year-old horse broke down today in a track gallop, and was taken to the veterinary clinic in Ballarat.

Equine surgeon Dr Ian Fulton told 9NEWS the horse is in a stable condition following the accident, which was initially believed to be life-threatening.

“He’s got a support splint on his left front leg, and has walked off the float,” Equine surgeon Dr Fulton told 9NEWS this afternoon.

“He’s bright and alert, and happy to get a feed.”

Dr Fulton explained that Admire Deus has torn ligaments in his leg, and the fetlock is “not supporting itself like it should.”

“There’s not actually any broken bones…it’s a bad tear though, so his Spring campaign is over.”

Further tests will be conducted on the horse, and then a plan will be rolled out to help get the animal back on track.

“It doesn’t mean he won’t be able to race again,” Dr Fulton said.

Admire Deus was bought by Australian Bloodstock (AB) which won the Melbourne Cup with Protectionist in 2014 and brought him to Australia to be trained by Weir.

AB director Jamie Lovett earlier tweeted his disappointment.

"Devastated for Admire Deus,Matt Scown, Shiny @shiny_7592, Craig Williams, Darren Weir and all connections" Lovett said.