Chief Ironside won the group 2 Crystal Mile at $26 on Saturday but it came either side of Shraaoh's Melbourne Cup campaign coming to an end and Danceteria finishing last in the Cox Plate (2040m).

Sydney Cup winner Shraaoh was more than six lengths sixth in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) after being a surprise leader approaching the home turn.

The Chris Waller-trained import was 27^th in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup but Australian Bloodstock director Luke Murrell said Shraaoh would now head to the paddock. The seven-year-old had finished down the track in his three previous starts, all at Randwick, this preparation.

Danceteria could also be spelled after a tough run in the Cox Plate. Murrell said the other option was running in the November 9 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington.

Stablemate to Chief Ironside, the David Menuisier-trained Danceteria was slow to begin and raced three wide without cover before being checked by eventual winner Lys Gracieux approaching the home turn.

"The jockey [Jamie Spencer] said he was on the wrong leg the whole way, and then he got his bump and it was all over," Murrell said.

Stewards also reported of Danceteria that a "post-race endoscopy detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage that may have affected the horse's racing performance".

However, Chief Ironside provided reason to celebrate for his group of mostly Hunter-based owners when he bounced back from a 13^th in the Toorak Handicap.

Second-up in Australia on Saturday, the five-year-old entire scored a narrow win under strong riding from Spencer, who gave him a sit just behind the leaders.

Murrell was now eyeing the $2 million Cantala Stakes on Derby day.

"They ran a really fast time and the intention is that we might back him up in the group 1 Cantala," he said. "He's running for a $500,000 bonus for winning that race."

At Randwick, Australian Bloodstock's Attention Run had her long-odds shot at a Melbourne Cup start ended with a sixth in the listed City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m).

The Kris Lees-trained mare, which needed a win to have any hope of making the Cup field, will go for a spell.

She was unable to find clear running in the home straight on Saturday after travelling on the fence behind the leaders. Attention Run's jockey, Glen Boss, was suspended for six meetings for careless riding after he caused interference to Re Edit near the 350m mark.

Lees and Australian Bloodstock have Mustajeer (15th) on track for a Melbourne Cup start but Big Duke (30th) has been spelled with a minor leg injury. Australian Bloodstock's Raheen House, trained by William Haggas, is 39th in the Cup order and races on Wednesday in the Bendigo Cup in a last bid to make the field.