Cambridge trainer Tony Pike reports talented two-year-old Aim Smart has undergone an operation since finishing towards the rear of the field in the Listed Reid & Harrison (1980) Ltd Slipper at Matamata.

The China Horse Club-owned juvenile was an impressive debut winner and was being considered for an Australian campaign prior to his Matamata run.

"Unfortunately he pulled up lame behind after his Matamata run and we found a little issue that required an operation, which he had on Wednesday," Pike said.

"It is definitely not career threatening. He'll go for a nice long break now and will come back as a three-year-old. I'm sure on the ability he showed us he's going to be very competitive in some of the better three-year-old races in the spring."