Godolphin-trained stayer All The Good, a Melbourne Cup entrant, caused an upset on the weekend in the Newburgh Handicap.
Sent out a $26 hope by punters in the substitute race for the Ebor, which was washed out last week, All The Good bolted in to the win by three-and-a-quarter lengths.
Another possible Melbourne Cup visitor Yellowstone grabbed third.
Luca Cumani's decision to bypass the wet in England almost paid off when Mad Rush, who would have started favourite in the Ebor, ran second in a Group Two 3000m race in France.
Mad Rush, Yellowstone and All The Good are all $51 chances for the Melbourne Cup.
The news was not as bright for three-year-old Patkai, who was beaten by four-and-a-half lengths when fourth of five runners in the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes (2400m).
The flop has dampened Patkai's hopes of winning England's St Leger Stakes at Doncaster over 2800m on September 13.
Septimus remained second favourite for the Melbourne Cup despite having his preparation for the race interrupted by the cancellation of the York carnival last week.
The galloper was to run in the Lonsdale Cup (3299m), which was to be run last Tuesday night, was not rescheduled.
Septimus was likely to have his next run in the Irish St Leger on September 14.
However, European champion Duke Of Marmalade posted his fifth Group One success on the trot when he claimed the rescheduled Juddmonte International at Newmarket.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained superstar has been entered for the Cox Plate but is believed to be heading to either the L'arc de Triomphe in France or the Breeders Cup in the US.