Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling will not return to racing in Australia this season.

The Lloyd Williams-owned import is nominated for Saturday’s G2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington but will not be an acceptor.

Williams confirmed that Rekindling and Johannes Vermeer, also nominated for the Blamey Stakes, will not run during the autumn.

Johannes Vermeer, another of the Williams-owned imports, finished second to Rekindling in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November.

Rekindling was brought to Australia in the spring to win the Melbourne Cup by Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien.

He remained in Australia after the Melbourne Cup and is now part of the team being prepared for Williams by his new private trainer Liam Howley.

Plans remain on the table for Rekindling to return to Ireland for an assault on major staying races and a possible Arc preparation.

Johannes Vermeer also stayed in Australia after he ran in the Melbourne Cup for Joseph O’Brien’s father Aidan O’Brien.

Sir Isaac Newton, Douglas Macarthur and Venezia Beach are other Williams-owned entries for the Blamey Stakes.