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Brisbane Cup winner Sixties Groove faces an important gallop on Tuesday that will define the import's immediate spring program.
Sixties Groove performed well below his best at his first start since winning the Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm in June when he finished a distant second last of 16 runners in the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) in September 6.
The Australian Bloodstock-owned stayer pulled up bilaterally lame (2/5) in both fore legs with stewards ordering that he a full veterinary clearance is required before he can race or trials again.
"Sixties Groove seems to be okay but we'll know more when he works on Tuesday morning," reported trainer Kris Lees.
Meanwhile Australian Bloodstock has confirmed the booking of Brenton Avdulla to ride UK stayer Raheen House in his Melbourne campaign.
Avdulla has committed to ride the William Haggas-trained 6YO gelding in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
Raheen House has won three of his 18 starts, including the G3 Bahrain Trophy over 2600 metres.
He is booked to land in Melbourne on September 28 with the first big contingent of overseas horses heading to Melbourne for the carnival and wil spend the mandatory two weeks in quarantine at Werribee.
Australian Bloodstock has five horses on the September 28 flight with the highly rated Ebor winner Mustajeer, Torcedor, and Cox Plate contender Danceteria and his stablemate David Menusier-trained stablemate Chief Ironside travelling with Raheen House.
Mustajeer will be prepared for his Cups assault by Kris Lees while Torcedor is going to the Paul Preusker stable in Victoria.
The five horses have been purchased by the Newcastle-based syndicate over the last six months to target the spring carnival.
Danceteria is set for the Cox Plate after the Moonee Valley Racing Club invited the last start German G1 winner to compete in Australasia's weight-for-age championship on October 26.
