Star mare Mosheen is out of the Cox Plate, with trainer Robert Smerdon declaring the $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington her chief target for the spring.
The four-year-old won four Group 1 races last season, but was absent from the second declarations for the 2040m Cox Plate on Tuesday, with Smerdon running out of time to prepare her for the Moonee Valley showcase.
Mosheen was one of the favourites for the October 27 race, but after undergoing minor throat surgery in August, has struggled with two midfield finishes in the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) and in the Sportingbet Sprint Series Heat (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
In other racing news, Sydney filly Nechita is out of the Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 17 after finishing a disappointing sixth in her last hit-out, in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 15.
And veteran trainer Bart Cummings has three chances to secure a record 10th Crown Oaks win, nominating Duet, Kim Dynasty and Norzita for the 2500m test at Flemington on November 8.
Cummings last won the Crown Oaks in 2009, with Faint Perfume, and his son Anthony has two runners, after nominating Clinking and Ireland's Teardrop.