The talented but injury-prone Tumbler's run of bad luck has continued with the mare scratched from a stakes race because of an elevated temperature.

Trainer Barry Lockwood had high hopes Tumbler could win her first start in black-type company in Saturday's Listed Colin McAlpine Memorial Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm.

But after trackwork on Thursday, Tumbler was found to have a slight temperature.

"She had a cough and we tested her temperature which was slightly elevated. She wasn't herself and she will have to be treated," Lockwood said.

"Tumbler should be back at the races in a couple of weeks.

"It is frustrating as every time she wins a race something goes wrong and out she goes again."

The five-year-old has won four races in a career restricted to five starts because of various injuries.

The Greg Hickman-trained Private Secretary is the favourite for Saturday's race with fellow Sydney horses Ravi and Painted Fireball scratched because of wide barriers.

Private Secretary comes into the race off a close third in the Group Three Sensis Stakes at Fleminton on October 29 won by Sheidel who runs in Saturday's Group One Winterbottom Stakes in Perth.

Madotti has also been scratched from the McAlpine and will instead run in a benchmark race at Rosehill.