Lankan Rupee is recovering from bone bruising to his off-hind fetlock which has explained his poor performance in the TJ Smith Stakes.

The reigning Australian Horse of the Year, Lankan Rupee ran one of the worst races of his career when ninth behind Chautauqua in the Group One sprint over 1200m on April 6 at Randwick.

Trainer Mick Price ordered a full examination to try to find any problem and said the injury had been hard to diagnose.

"It's a difficult diagnosis which only comes from scintigraphy," Price said.

"He had a bit of bone bruising on his off hind fetlock where he had an operation as a foal apparently, which I didn't know about at the time."

"At least we have a reason to give him a nice spell and see how we go.

"He'll come back in the spring."

After finishing sixth to Brazen Beau in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 14, Lankan Rupee was diagnosed with a torn pectoral muscle and stifle soreness.

Price said the gelding would be in the paddock recuperating for six to eight weeks before being prepared for a spring campaign.

"I don't think he'll have many starts in the spring," Price said.

"He's not a machine and is showing some signs of wear and tear even though he's been fairly lightly raced."

Price said Lankan Rupee was spelling in the warmer weather in the NSW Hunter Valley rather than in Victoria.