Aidan O'Brien has outlined potential plans for Gstaad, Great Barrier Reef and Victorious after they were ruled out of weekend engagements.
Gstaad was potentially in line for a trip to France for the Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday where it is likely that he would have renewed his rivalry with Bow Echo but an injury picked up in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood ruled him out of the contest.
"He got two deep cuts in his hind leg, obviously he got galloped into in the race," O'Brien explained on Racing TV.
"We didn't put him on shots for a day or so initially because we were hoping it wouldn't flare up but it did flare up after a few days and he had to go on shots.
"Usually the shots John [Halley] would put him on would be kind of a week when you take him off it but John said because the cuts were deep and he had to be put him on a stronger shot and those shots he had to have two weeks to clear before you could run.
"He's fine now and working and exercising so I imagine he would be trained for the [Prix du] Moulin (on September 6).
"It might be a blessing in disguise as it gives him more time to mature again and improve more into the end of the year."
Great Barrier Reef and Victorious also bypassed weekend engagements and the latter may not run again this season.
"Great Barrier Reef had a spot of ringworm so we had to wait. It's gone but you have to give him a couple of weeks when that happens," O'Brien continued.
"Victorious she was a little bit off so it's possible that she will have a little bit of time off. So, whether we run her again this season I'm not sure but if there's anything we'll wait because she's had a run, she's travelled, she's a lot of experience and if we're not a hundred per cent happy she'll be finished for the season.
"The horse that won at Goodwood [Man's Best Friend] was just coming a little bit too quick. So, it will be between him and Great Barrier Reef for the Prix Morny (August 23) we think.
"It changes, there are so many variables. It's just the way it is; sometimes it works with you and sometimes it works against you."
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