DESERT HERO IS GROUNDED

THE King and Queen will have to wait for a Lexus Melbourne Cup runner after Desert Hero was ruled out of the race.

- MELISSA JONES

William Haggas' colt passed the veterinary tests to put him on course for Australia's showpiece event on November 7.

However the royal couple's team, led by racing advisor John Warren, held talks on Sunday evening and decided that it would come too soon after his gallant St Leger effort.