Australian racing authorities will not make a decision on whether Kieren Fallon will be allowed to ride Yeats in the Emirates Melbourne Cup until later in the month.
The board of Racing Victoria Ltd met on Thursday and dispatched an official application to Fallon, who has never ridden in the country.
Fallon, banned from riding in Britain while he faces trial on charges of conspiracy to defraud, must apply by October 17.
'The Victoria Racing board had a regulatory meeting on Thursday where it was decided Kieren has until October 17 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 17 is when Yeats is expected to arrived in Melbourne so it makes 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, Michael 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.
