Australian stayer Beau was yesterday pulled out of the $350,000 Auckland Cup after injurying a tendon.
Canberra trainer Myffy Rae said the tendon problem became an issue after Beau galloped at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
"I thought it may not have been too bad, it looked relatively minor, but when
it was scanned it was deemed too serious."
It may spell the end of Beau's racing career.
"He's had the problem before, so the owners will reassess the risk of bringing him back again."
Rae is naturally disappointed that the injury happened in New Zealand.
"I'm certainly not blaming the Matamata track for what happened, it was a beautiful surface we galloped on yesterday, but it's very expensive to come here and it could have happened closer to home.
"There were a few tears shed around here this morning, but I've been in horses long enough to know these things happen."
Rae believes the best was not seen of Beau.
"He's a natural two-miler, but because of the timing of his problem last time, Honor Babe's Sydney Cup was the only time he's been able to try 3200m." Rae will return home immediately.
"I've got 20 horses in work and I pre-train for Gai Waterhouse, so I'm busy."
Beau is stabled with local trainer Paul Jenkins, who is looking forward to the Cup after Bazelle sneaked into the field with a win in the Nathans Memorial at Ellerslie on Tuesday.
"She appears to have come through that race well. She ate up well when she got home from the races."
Jenkins has settled for Mark Du Plessis as Bazelle's Cup rider.
