Last year’s Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa will miss this year’s running.

Having been nominated for a return bid at winning back-to-back Caulfield Cups, last year's winner Duke De Sessa will miss the race. 

Racing Victoria stewards posted on social media on Friday that Duke De Sessa had been removed from nominations for the Group 1 contest over 2400m at Caulfield on October 18 owing to a 'minor setback in preparation'. 

Duke De Sessa combined with Harry Coffey to win last year's Caulfield Cup, giving trainer Ciaron Maher his second win in the feature. 

The stayer was one of 25 horses Maher had nominated in this year's Cup which closed on Tuesday. 

A total of 145 remain in contention for the Caulfield Cup with late nominations for the race closing next Tuesday, August 12.