Harlem needs to win Saturday’s Lexus Stakes to push his way into the Cup field, but the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained stayer has an eye injury, which is being treated by the stable.

The six-year-old was one of the best backed horses on the Derby Day program, firming into $3.80 favourite for the last ticket into Tuesday’s big race.

LIVE COVERAGE: MELBOURNE CUP BARRIER DRAW

LIVE COVERAGE: DERBY DAY

He is rated a $41 chance if he can make it into the Cup and given he is scheduled to race Saturday, he will be inspected before the 7.30am scratching deadline.

Jon Snow, a $34 chance in the Cup, will also be re-examined after stewards were concerned with both of his fore feet. His trainer, Murray Baker, had a similar situation before the Caulfield Cup when his mare Bonneval was vet-tested several times after concerns over her action before being passed fit to run in the race.

The other 34 second acceptors for the Cup were given the green light for Tuesday’s race.

The winner of the Lexus Stakes will be re-tested after the race to “reconfirm their suitability to accept”.

Meantime, crack Irish stayer Thomas Hobson’s Cup fate hangs in the balance.

Provisionally sitting in 24th position with Qewy and Abbey Marie not to run on Tuesday, Thomas Hobson could be shoved out of the final field by the winner of the Lexus Stakes.

Eight of the 10 Lexus runners are vying for a Cup slot with victory on Saturday.

To keep his place, Thomas Hobson needs Ecuador or Havana Cooler to win the Lexus because they’re not entered for the Cup — or for the winner not to push on to Tuesday.

If Thomas Hobson is pushed down to 25th before the final acceptance deadline at 4.30pm Saturday, his destiny will rest on Lloyd Williams’ decision on $101 shot Gallante.

Gallante is at his best on rain-affected ground, so the record-breaking Cup owner will wait on a weather update before deciding whether to run him.

Thomas Hobson has been kept safe in Cup betting at $23 despite uncertainty over getting a start. Willie Mullins’ iron horse was earmarked as an ideal Flemington contender after winning first-up over 4000m at Royal Ascot in June, backing up four days later when second over 4355m.

Both Thomas Hobson and 2015 Cup runner-up Max Dynamite are raced by Susannah Ricci, wife of enigmatic businessman Rich Ricci.

If Thomas Hobson is deemed a better chance but is demoted to 25th by the Lexus winner, the Riccis could be in the difficult position of having to decide whether to leave Max Dynamite in the field.

Despite growing speculation, it is an unlikely call.

SNEAKY CHANCE PODCAST SPECIAL GUEST KATELYN MALLYON TALKS HOSTILITIES TOWARDS JOCKEYS, RIDING FOR FIVE-TIME WINNING OWNER LLOYD WILLIAMS AND, OF COURSE, FINDING A WINNER ON DERBY DAY

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby said Qewy would bypass Tuesday’s Cup despite being assured a run. The eight-year-old worked lightly at Werribee before Appleby pulled the pin, which guaranteed Wall Of Fire a start.

Appleby said Qewy needed a few more days to recover after setting a course record with a tenacious Bendigo Cup win on Wednesday.

“He knows he’s had a race, and I think the Cup will just come a bit soon for him,” Appleby said. “It’s only six days between the two races.

“Hopefully we can consider another race for him in Melbourne this trip, provided he is back on top form.”

Qewy finished fourth in last year’s Melbourne Cup and also won the Geelong and Sandown Cups.

DERBY DAY: CARPARK DOS AND DON’TS

Gallante, which is also safely in the field at No.20, could be among seven runners for Williams’ Macedon Lodge.

The others are favourite and defending champion Almandin, Johannes Vermeer, Rekindling, US Army Ranger and Bondi Beach. Aloft, currently 28th, could parachute into the Cup field by winning the Lexus.

Harlem, Geelong Cup winner Vengeur Masque, Aloft and Kellstorm are among the leading chances in the Lexus.