Gamblin' Guru is much better off than his jockey after a fall on Adelaide Cup day but the incident has ruled out a trip to Sydney for the Australian Derby.

Clare Lindop is nursing 15 broken ribs after the fall on March 10 and while Gamblin' Guru was back on his feet quickly, the interruption will deny him the chance to emulate his close relation Gold Guru, the 1998 Australian Derby winner.

But trainer Leon Macdonald has not given up hope of a Classic win with the talented three-year-old to be set for the SA Derby on his home track at Morphettville before a possible trip to Queensland.

Macdonald and managing owner Harry Perks deliberately bypassed the Victoria Derby in the spring with Gamblin' Guru despite his tough win in the Geelong Classic on a wet track.

"He just won't be ready for Sydney," Macdonald said.

"He came through the fall OK considering. He had a bit of blood on his nose where he hit the ground.

"We took some tests and his white count was up a little bit which can indicate some inflammation but he's fine now.

"He will run at Morphettville on Saturday and that will tell us where we are with him.

"The plan is to tackle the South Australian Derby and then look at Queensland."

The Group One SA Derby (2500m) is on May 3 a month before the Queensland Derby.

Lindop is hoping to be back for the Adelaide carnival in May but has been given no time frame on her recovery.