Cox is determined to take a cautious approach with his stable star, who proved ultra competitive over the carnival last year — including a second placing in the $120,500 Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) on Caulfield Cup day.

Sumakaray has been in light work at the Romsey property of part-owner Ray Matthews and is expected to arrive at the Cox stable this week.

Matthews is renowned in the industry for his pre-training and breaking- in of horses and does a lot of work for premier Melbourne trainer Darren Weir.

Sumakaray has not raced since finishing unplaced at Caulfield in April.

“She has been in light work on Ray’s farm but it’s too late now to get her ready for any of the spring races over the Melbourne carnival,” Cox said.

“Her blood just didn’t come up right so we have had to delay her preparation.

“Hopefully she arrives at the stable sometime this week and I will take her along slowly and hope she comes up.

“If she doesn’t, we will think about sending her to the breeding barn.

“But at this stage we will just keep our fingers crossed and hopefully she can get back racing again late next month.”

Sumakaray is the best credentialled galloper in training on the Border with five wins and two places from 16 starts and almost $200,000 in prizemoney.

The five-year-old mare failed to fire in two autumn starts, including a disappointing fourth in the $50,000 Flat Knacker Hcp (900 metres) on Albury Gold Cup day.

Cox said a run on Wod- onga Gold Cup Day on November 28 was possible — “I haven’t looked if there is a suitable race but it could be a possibility,” he said.

“The meeting is in her own backyard and I don’t have to put her on a truck and knock her around.”