Maldivian is out of the Australian Cup with a hairline fracture of a knee.

Trainer Mark Kavanagh said the injury was not career threatening but Maldivian would have at least 12 weeks in the paddock.

Kavanagh said he would bring the horse back for the Cox Plate and the Caulfield Cup in the spring.

Princess Coup the new Australian Cup fav ahead of Sirmione

Let's hope that "Big Mal" returns in top health and goes on to win a Gp1 race as he was "robbed by circumstances" of this prize in the Spring.

Cheers.