The Moonee Valley Racing Club committee has used its discretion to exclude Trap For Fools from the Cox Plate, saying his form does not warrant him starting in the $5 million race.

The Jarrod McLean-trained Trap For Fools was among the final acceptors for Saturday's weight-for-age championship race on Tuesday morning before the committee met to finalise the field.

Trap For Fools won successive races over the Cox Plate distance of 2040m at Moonee Valley in August and September to press his claims for the race.

At his most recent start he finished less than two lengths from Winx when fifth in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on October 6.

MVRC chairman Don Casboult said the committee members had a serious discussion over the credentials of Trap For Fools before they making the decision to omit him from the race.

"We had quite a serious conversation about the field," Casboult said.

"As a result of the debate it was determined Trap For Fools would be excluded from the field.

"The committee felt his form did not merit a run and the field was narrowed to eight starters."

Under the Cox Plate rules, the club has absolute discretion to exclude any horse from the race.

The Cox Plate can accommodate a field of 14.