Cody Cole’s focus will be solely on his domestic runners this weekend after hopes of a Derby Day contender at Flemington were dashed.

The Matamata trainer had planned a crack at Saturday’s Gr.3 Mumm Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) for multiple winner and elite level placegetter Navigator, with another well-performed stablemate to have accompanied him.

“Unfortunately, we had a setback with Navigator so we’re not going. Atmospheric was going to go over as well,” Cole said.

“He’s going to have to spend a couple of weeks in the paddock now, it’s a shame and disappointing because he would have got in on a nice weight and we were really looking forward to that.

“He doesn’t get around Ellerslie so there was nothing left for him with the Telegraph being in March now.”

Navigator finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) earlier this year and was third in the 2025 edition.

“We’ve opted to keep Atmospheric here and he’ll head to Ellerslie for the set weights and penalties mile (Gr.3 Bayleys Great Northern Challenge Stakes, 1600m) on November 28th,” Cole said.

Atmospheric finished fourth in the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) two starts back before he tailed the field home in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) after being parked three wide without cover.

“He came through that pretty tough run well, he had a good time in the paddock and is bright and well,” Cole said.

“Nothing went right but we know the ability is there after what he did in the mile.”

On Saturday, the stable is expecting a decent first-up performance at Tauranga from Latrelle in the Bayleys Handicap (1300m).

“I think she will improve with the run, but she can still give some cheek and has been working really well,” Cole said.

He tipped Purple Strike as one of his best chances at Tauranga, where the Anders three-year-old will bid to go one better in the Tauranga Crossing Maiden (1400m) following a debut second on the course.

“I think he’s a progressive horse, he’s got something about him and one to follow,” Cole said.

Meanwhile, Rareza and Old Bill Bone will return to the Central Districts to go head-to-head in the Cavallo Farms & Chris Rutten Bloodstock Handicap (1400m) at Otaki.

The former returned from a five-month break to win a 1200m open handicap on the course earlier this month.

“Rareza won well there last time and you can put a line through Old Bill Bone’s last run when he didn’t handle the track at all,” Cole said.

The Swiss Ace gelding had finished in behind the major players in three consecutive outings before he was out of the frame in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings.

“It was disappointing, he had a tough run and just floundered in the ground,” Cole said.