Southern Icon is an uncertain runner for Saturday week's Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes in the wake of his Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate failure last weekend, though Matamata trainer Alan Tait remains optimistic of lining up at Hastings.
The five-year-old was sent out favourite for the Foxbridge Plate but finished eighth, 6 1/4 lengths behind winner Saracino.
"He had an elevated temperature when he got home for three days," Tait said.
"I'm not going to commit either way just yet. He seems fine - don't get me wrong, he's well, but it's a fine line we're walking.
“If everything goes right over the next few days, the plan is to run, so at this stage it's just fingers crossed."
A winner of seven of his 19 starts, Southern Icon went into the Foxbridge Plate in search of his fifth straight win.
"It was completely below what I expected but at least we found there was a reason for it," said Tait, whose previous five runners to the races had all won.
Mark Hills has been engaged to ride Southern Icon if he runs in the Makfi Challenge Stakes (1400m).
TAB bookmakers have Southern Icon on the fifth line of betting for the weight-for-age feature at $18 in a market headed by impressive first-up Ruakaka winner Valley Girl at $5. Hasselhoof, Kawi and Stolen Dance share the second line at $6.
