Racing: A ruling on whether Kieren Fallon will be allowed ride Yeats in the Melbourne Cup hinges on a successful application to the racing authorities in Australia.
The board of Racing Victoria Ltd met on Thursday and dispatched an official application to Fallon, who has never ridden in Australia.
Fallon, banned from riding in Britain while he faces trial on charges of conspiracy to defraud, must apply by October 17th.
"The Victoria Racing board had a regulatory meeting on Thursday where it was decided Kieren has until October 17th to apply to ride in Melbourne," said Leigh Jordon, racing director of Racing Victoria.
"A letter has gone out asking him to apply and when we receive his application, the board will take it from there.
"October 17th is when Yeats is expected to arrived in Melbourne so it make sense for a decision to be made around that time."
If Fallon is unable to ride Aidan O'Brien's high-class stayer - currently in quarantine at Ballydoyle - Mick Kinane is likely to deputise.
Kinane was at the helm on the five-year-old's penultimate start when the pair cruised to a five-length success in the Goodwood Cup in August.
Yeats is Paddy Power's 7-1 favourite to win the two-mile Melbourne Cup on November 7th.