The spring carnival is over for Alpine Eagle with X-rays revealing the four-year-old has a cracked pedal bone.

The Tony McEvoy-trained horse was a race morning scratching from the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on Sunday with what originally seemed to be a foot abscess in his near front hoof.

McEvoy said Alpine Eagle had developed a pulse in the hoof on Saturday night.

"The signs were it was just a foot abscess, but I X-rayed it to make sure what we were dealing with," McEvoy said.

"I needed to know what we were treating and he's got a little crack in the pedal bone.

"It's shattering news."

Alpine Eagle was the one of the favourites for Sunday's 2000m race at Flemington before his scratching.

The Turnbull was to determine whether Alpine Eagle would head to the Caulfield Cup or the Cox Plate.

McEvoy expects the son of High Chaparral to make a full recovery and return to racing in the autumn.

"He'll have box rest for a month then two months rest after that," McEvoy said.

"They do heal, but he's out until the autumn.

"He's a young horse and he'll be back next year."

Alpine Eagle shot to prominence in the autumn finishing second to Wandjina in the Australian Guineas.

He had two spring starts, finishing second in Adelaide before covering ground when sixth in the Makybe Diva Stakes behind Fawkner on September 12.