Last Saturday’s Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) winner Hinepara has been ruled out of the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) on March 13 at Ellerslie.
Trained by Josh Shaw, the seven-year-old mare charged home late to defeat Concert Hall in the Avondale Cup.
Despite not originally being in the nominations for the Auckland Cup, connections had intended to make the late payment to join the fray, but Shaw has opted to take a conservative approach.
“She hasn’t pulled up 100 percent after the race so we’re just going to put her in the paddock and wait till next season,” he said.
“There’s no point in us ruining her for one race when she’s got probably another six or seven up her sleeve next year. She’s done enough for us.
“Everyone that’s in the ownership has let me do what I want and know I’ll do the best for the horse.
“She could get there but she’d probably only be getting there 95 percent right, and in those sort of races you’ve got to be 100 percent.”
Shaw indicated a light spring would be on the agenda with a grand final of the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m).
“Kerrin Beatson’s got a share in her and he’s in charge of International Animal Health (parent company of Livamol) so it would be good to have a horse in his race,” Shaw said.
“Then we’ll give her a little freshen up and look towards the City Of Auckland (Gr.3, 2400m), Avondale Cup and Auckland Cup next year.”
