U S Navy Flag is likely to remain in Australia despite finishing down the field in the TAB Everest at Randwick on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge earned himself a shot at the hugely valuable sprint with victory in the July Cup at Newmarket during the summer, but heavy rain through the week dampened expectations.

Ryan Moore’s mount missed the break from stall three and although he managed to get into a challenge position rounding the home turn, his early exertions took their toll and he faded back through the pack to finish ninth of the 12 runners.

Speaking at Newmarket on Saturday morning, O’Brien said: “The ground was soft and he missed the break. He is a good ground horse and he’ll be okay.

“We will probably leave him there now and come back down to Melbourne. There is a Group 1 on the same day as the Cox Plate and there is another one in Melbourne a couple of weeks after that.”

Although out of luck with U S Navy Flag, O’Brien did enjoy big-race success at Caulfield, with Yucatan potentially earning himself a crack at the Melbourne Cup with an impressive victory in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes under James McDonald.

O’Brien said: “I’m delighted with Yucatan and he won very nicely. We were very happy with him going down there and he has had some lovely runs through the year. He had a lovely run last time at Leopardstown.

“He had a lovely bit of ground today. I think he won well and were hoping he would run a good race.

“I think we will speak to Lloyd (Williams, part-owner) and see what he wants to do and see what weight he gets, because he wouldn’t have got into the Melbourne Cup if he hadn’t of won.”