The spring carnival hopes of Big Memory are on hold with trainer Tony McEvoy hopeful he can get his preparation back on track.

Big Memory was withdrawn from the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes on race morning because of lameness.

McEvoy immediately sent the gelding to the Ballarat Equine Centre for tests.

"He's sore in his hocks and hind joints but we think we can manage those now that we know what it is," McEvoy said.

"We think we can get him back, so the next ten days to two weeks will tell us a lot more."

Big Memory was being prepared for the Caulfield Cup, a race he finished 10th in last year, but McEvoy said he would wait to see how he responded to treatment.

"He's still in work but his program will change," McEvoy said.

"The first thing I want to do is treat him and then we've got to see how he responds to the treatment.

"If he doesn't respond I'll turn him out, but if he does, then I'll make a plan."

Big Memory looked to be in for a good spring after finishing fourth in the P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) won by Mourinho at Caulfield on August 15.

Last spring Big Memory won the Herbert Power Stakes to earn a Caulfield Cup start.

He just failed to make the Melbourne Cup field when second in the Lexus Stakes then ran third in teh Queen Elizabeth Stakes won by stablemate Le Roi.