Newcastle star Mugatoo has been ruled out for the rest of 2021 after tests revealed a tendon injury suffered in his last-placed run in the Doomben Cup (2000 metres) last Saturday.
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The Kris Lees-trained import was set for a spring campaign aimed at the Cox Plate, in which he was a luckless fourth in 2020.
However, the six-year-old Australian Bloodstock-owned gelding was eased out of the Doomben Cup on Saturday at the home bend and was found to be lame in the off foreleg.
Connections hoped to push on with Mugatoo's spring plans after a spell but tests showed the injury was worse than first thought.
"He's got a little issue with his tendon so he's going to be out for the spring unfortunately," Lees told Racing and Sports on Thursday.
He said more tests next month were needed to reveal the full extent of the injury.
Mugatoo overcame a wind operation in the UK, which delayed his move to Australia, to make a rapid rise through the ranks, culminating in victory in the $5 million All-Star Mile in March at Moonee Valley.
He has won seven of 15 starts in Australia and earned almost $3.3 million for connections. He also gave Lees an emotional first Newcastle Cup success last September.
Meanwhile, Lees will have Midland and Aliferous chasing stakes wins at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Aliferous, a $130,000 yearling buy, was sold by Australian Bloodstock at the Magic Millions broodmare sales this week for $475,000.
The five-year-old, with earning already of $576,580, will run for her new owners, Glenlogan Park, in the group 3 Lord Mayor's Cup (1800m) from gate 11 with Craig Williams aboard.
Midland, a $550,000 Inglis yearling buy, will chase a fourth consecutive win when he contests the group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m).
