The Charlie Appleby-trained Cross Counter has suffered a setback in the lead-up to the Melbourne Cup.

Cross Counter, who is high up in Melbourne Cup markets, sustained a cut to his leg which has required veterinary attention and the horse will miss at least a couple of days work.

“It is annoying, but the Cup is over three weeks away and there is time for him to be ready, provided his recovery is as we expect,” Appleby said on the Godolphin website.

“He will be box-rested for two days, the vets will have another look, and then we will assess everything after that.”

While the stable has already won a Group One race in Melbourne this spring with Jungle Cat in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last month, things have not all gone smoothly with Cross Counter the latest horse to suffer a setback.

Emotionless is undergoing bone scans on Monday to determine his suitability to accept for Saturday's Caulfield Cup after pulling up lame from a gallop.

He has been restricted to light walking duties since last Saturday week.

Another of Appleby's Melbourne Cup hopes Hamada had to be humanely euthanised on Saturday after he fractured a hind leg during a routine gallop at Werribee.

Cross Counter, a northern hemisphere three-year-old, has won four of his seven starts and was at $13 for the Melbourne Cup on Monday.

The Melbourne Cup is at Flemington on November 6.

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