Brave Smash had his Everest ambitions dented when beaten by Bons Away in Saturday's Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
The Darren Weir-trained entire firmed from $1.85 to start $1.65 favourite and after finding some interference around the home turn, he at one stage looked the winner halfway up the straight.
But he had no answer to the final surge of Bons Away ($11) on his outside and was beaten a head.
Damian Lane said trouble at the home turn may have cost Brave Smash the race.
"He got a shove on the corner which probably cost him winning but I still thought I was going to win anyway in the straight," Lane said.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Bons Away has won his last four starts and made it a running double for Linda Meech having won earlier aboard Sircconi.
"He's a horse with a lot of confidence at the moment and has really got his tail up," Meech said.
"He would have let off a ripping sectional from the 500 to the 200 metres and then got a little bit tired, but he got a break on the second horse and was able to hold him."
Meech said she enjoyed a trouble-free run.
"I was on the back of Damian Lane to the turn and was happy to miss the trouble. I think the wind is making it difficult for some horses today, playing with their balance," Meech said.
"The turn of foot he showed today makes you think he might be able to get away with a nice race over the carnival - he travelled like a good horse all the way and he keeps winning."
Fast 'N' Rocking ($26 - $51) was beaten two lengths into third, the trip completed in 1:09.79.
UP, UP and AWAY! Bons Away upstages Brave Smash to claim the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes. A running double for Linda Meech. pic.twitter.com/xtLEPoz9SC
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 23, 2017
