Trainer Aidan O’Brien has confirmed star stayer Scandinavia failed the veterinary checks for the Melbourne Cup.

The son of Justify broke through for a first Stakes victory when winning the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes at Newmarket's July course in first-time cheekpieces and took a significant step up in class to take the Group 1 Goodwood Cup ahead of experienced stablemate Illinois in late July.

Returning to three-year-old company, Scandinavia confirmed his status as rising star of the staying division with a victory in the Group 1 St Leger at Doncaster, holding off the late challenge of Rahiebb to win by a neck.

With Melbourne Cup an anticipated next target, it was announced that the colt would not travel to Australia on 23 September with no reason given.

Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, O'Brien said: "We are an open book for everyone to see.

"That was the only race left in the calendar that was going to suit him this year. Obviously, he'll be put away for the winter and he'll probably have too much weight to run it next year – he probably won't need to go through that scrutiny again.

"I would imagine there's no problem with him. Everyone else was very happy.

"We are only guests in Australia, we're delighted to be able to run when we're allowed to run and that's the way it is. When you go to Rome, you play by the Pope's rules and that's the same for Australia.

"Sometimes they fall your way, sometimes they don't."