Classy mare Suavito has been ruled out of the upcoming spring after injuring a knee at trackwork.
Trainer Nigel Blackiston said the mare was a bit "jarry" after trackwork at Flemington on Wednesday morning and ordered x-rays be taken.
Suavito was having her work stepped up in preparation for a first-up tilt at the Group One Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next month.
"She was a little bit jarry in her action and we took some x-rays and there's a minuscule little boney flake on her right knee," Blackiston said.
"It's in a good position that will just pop out but because of the time you've got to give them after the arthroscope surgery, it rules out the spring.
"There's no point rushing her back to have her racing around the end of November, so we'll give her an extra month and get her ready for the autumn."
Blackiston said the rising five-year-old would undergo surgery next week.
He said Suavito would be prepared for a first-up tilt at the Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next February, a race she won first-up, lowering the colours of Dissident, earlier in the year.
Long-term Blackiston said he would try and get the daughter of Thorn Park to the Group One Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in March.
Suavito hasn't raced since finishing seventh to Kermadec in the Doncaster at Randwick in April.