Japanese horses have again been banned from competing in this year's Melbourne Cup because of quarantine concerns.
The Japanese-trained Delta Blues won the Melbourne Cup in 2006 ahead of his stablemate Pop Rock but their horses have been banned ever since following an outbreak of equine influenza in Australia that was traced back to Japan.
Australian officials are preparing new protocols for Japanese horses but have told Racing Victoria officials they won't be ready in time for the Melbourne Cup in November.
