Ladies First will have one further throw of the dice in Melbourne before returning home to be set to defend her group one Auckland Cup (3200m) crown.
The 6-year-old mare finished eighth in the group two Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on Saturday, just under six lengths from the winner, Ventura Storm, when ridden by Michael Walker.
"Mickey intimated the track circumference didn't suit her and also a bit of rain would have helped her," trainer Allan Sharrock said.
"They ran a track record and it was the best Moonee Valley Cup field for years. They usually get eight or nine runners but it was a full field this time.
"It's so hard to beat them over there, but she did pick up A$10,000."