Leading jockey James Mcdonald is without a Melbourne Cup ride after Away He Goes has been ruled out with a tendon injury.

McDonald was announced as the imported galloper’s rider on Sunday and the jockey had made his way to Werribee on Wednesday to partner Away He Goes in a crucial track gallop ahead of next Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.

But the rider left the quarantine compound 10 to 15 minutes after his arrival after it was discovered there was some swelling on the tendon.

“His groom who bandages the horse’s legs every morning, he walked in and noticed a bit of swelling in the tendon. He brought in the vet and he has confirmed it’s a tendon injury,” Racing Victoria General Manager International and Racing Operations Paul Bloodworth told racing.com.

“It’s a mild, mild tendon injury, but of course it means he can’t race.”

The news means McDonald does not have a ride in the Cup after he chose Away He Goes for Tuesday’s race as there were not many options within his weight range.

With a decision pending on whether Verry Elleegant starts in the Cup is still to be made, that may be the jockey’s last hope.

Damian Lane rode the mare into third place in the Cox Plate last Saturday and may switch to The Chosen One who he rode in the Caulfield Cup, finishing 14th behind Incentivise.

The Chosen One finished fourth in last year’s Melbourne Cup and if Lane chooses that stayer in preference to Verry Elleegant, McDonald could be reunited with the mare if trainer Chris Waller elects to run her.

A decision is expected within the next 24 hours.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained import Sir Lucan moves to 23rd in the Order of Entry while Mosh Music holds down the all-important number 24 spot.

Away He Goes was a $15 chance with Sportsbet in 2021 Melbourne Cup odds.