Dan Nikolic has had to forego mounts at Flemington on Saturday after being sidelined following an unsuccessful appeal against an eight meeting suspension.
He was to have ridden Star Of Choisir and Cross Of Gold for David Hayes who is looking to break a long Melbourne metropolitan drought.
The seven-time Victorian premier trainer has had a run of 70 outs in Melbourne since his last city win.
Star Of Choisir, now to be ridden by Dean Holland in the Spotless Plate, Cross Of Gold (James Boags Plate) and Laristan (Spotless Handicap) are his three hopes.
Nikolic rode under a stay of proceedings when he won Wednesday’s Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool on Second Effort after being suspended for careless riding on Arrised at Mornington on April 26.
His other Flemington rides were Somaly Miss and I Feel Good. Nikolic can resume riding next Thursday.
