Dalasan

Group 1 performer Dalasan has narrowly escaped serious injury with his trainer admitting he was "very lucky" it wasn't life-threatening.

Back in class,  Dalasan failed to fire in the G3 R A Lee Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville last Saturday, but co-trainer Leon Macdonald says the five-year-old had excuses.

The son of Dalakhani finished sixth in a field of 13, 5.3 lengths behind winner Belle Plaisir.

"He got galloped on fairly badly," revealed Macdonald, who co-trains with son-in-law Andrew Gluyas.

"It's his offside hind tendon that's the issue, it's not life-threatening, but it wouldn't want to have been any closer or it would've been. (He's) very lucky.

"It would've been as they came down the side I think, but I don't really have the full idea.

"We haven't taken the bandage off since Saturday night, but when we do, we'll get more of an idea."

Despite the setback, Macdonald says the plan is for Dalasan to race on, with a spring program to be mapped out for the horse in time.

"It's too early to tell, but the idea is he'll go forward into the spring providing he's ok," Macdonald said.

Dalasan has built a reputation as a gallant competitor at the elite level, despite not yet winning one, having netted four placings from 19 attempts. 

Macdonald days he's at a loss to explain the poor showing from Manhatten Times in Adelaide's feature sprint, the G1 Goodwood (1200m).

The lightweight chance finished third-last, more than 11 lengths adrift of all-the-way winner Lombardo. 

"No idea," Macdonald said when asked for a reason behind the lacklustre showing.

"He didn't run well, and I can't see any reason why.

"His work leading up to it was excellent, it was a funny sort of race, a lot of horses ran badly. Those horses that got back didn't really perform."

Manhatten Times has been sent to the paddock ahead of a spring return, where the son of Manhattan Rain will likely step out in trip.

Another Award is also bound for the paddock after failing to win the final race of the carnival - the G3 Proud Miss (1200m) - despite starting a warm favourite ($3.30).

"I thought she was disappointing as well," Macdonald said candidly.

"She might've gone one too many, who knows, she's been really good leading into it.

"She ran ok, but I would've expected her to run what would've been a pass mark of running second."