More than a winning streak ended with smart sprinter Ability's midfield finish in a race at Caulfield on Sunday.
A bone chip in a knee also ended the five-year-old's outstanding preparation.
Ability started his campaign with a win in Benchmark 78 company at Moonee Valley in June before progressing to claim two Sandown wins and a victory in the Group III Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) in his next three runs.
Ability's trainer Robert Smerdon said the son of Reward For Effort would miss the Melbourne and Sydney autumn carnivals but could make an interstate appearance late in the season.
"He's chipped the same knee so he was back up for surgery yesterday," Smerdon said.
"It's surgery then four months in the paddock and he'll be able to go back into work in February.
"By coming back into work in February, the Brisbane carnival or Adelaide look the most likely for him."
While Ability has run his last race for 2017, Smerdon will have some thinking to do once the fields for Saturday's Melbourne and Sydney meetings are released on Wednesday.
Smerdon said he would accept with handy mare Lovani in both the Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) at Flemington and the Group II Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
Smerdon also entered Lovani for the Group II Blazer Stakes (1400m) at Flemington but said he would take the easier option with the Group II Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) third placegetter if she ran in Melbourne.
"I'm going to declare in both states and then decide the way to go," Smerdon said.
"I'll probably declare in the Listed race here and not the mares' race and we'll see how it stands up and what she draws.
"It's easier to stay and play at home but if it looks like she'd be in the mix in Sydney, I'd be happy to go there."
Smerdon is likely to decide his plans by Thursday afternoon.
