Golden Slipper runner-up Sidestep has been ruled out of the Caulfield Guineas and Cox Plate.
The Peter Snowden stable advised Racing Victoria on Monday that Sidestep, who finished fourth in Saturday’s $1 million Group One Golden Rose (1400m), would be withdrawn from both races.
However, the colt has been kept in nominations for the $250,000 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on the same day as the Caulfield Guineas on October 12.
Sidestep, who has had little luck in three starts this preparation, could be kept to sprints and head towards the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
His stablemate Long John is the equal favourite with Golden Rose winner Zoustar for the Guineas.
Mark Kavanagh has reported three-year-old fillies Casquets and Za Moulin Rouge would be spelled, ruling them out of the Thousand Guineas and VRC Oaks.
Casquets won the Listed Talindert Stakes last preparation and resumed with a midfield finish in a 1100m event for fillies at Flemington last Saturday week.
Za Moulin Rouge beat one runner home in a 1200m fillies race at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
