Punters who moved quickly to put Barakey into the “sack file” after his disappointing 11th in the Newmarket Handicap may want to reconsider.

The Perth speedster had a genuine excuse when suffering the first defeat of his career, with scans confirming he fractured his knee during the $1 million sprint.

The five-year-old will have six months on the sidelines but trainer Jim Taylor is hopeful he can return to defend his title in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in November.

Barakey will undergo surgery next week after an autumn campaign that went horribly wrong.

The injury was the latest blow to connections who saw the winner of 11 of 12 starts scratched at the barriers in his scheduled east-coast debut in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield last month.

Fellow Perth galloper Luckygray will continue his autumn campaign in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday week after running eighth in in the Newmarket.

Trainer Gino Poletti has conceded the grey gelding is no chance of upsetting superstar mare Black Caviar but is confident he can steal runner-up honours.

“He’s as fit as I can get him so he’ll have an easy week,” Poletti told Perth Racing Radio.

Luckygray will have a familiarisation gallop at Moonee Valley on Tuesday before his first start at the tight-turning track.