The Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly) has gone for a spell in sunny Queensland after trailing the field home in the Gr.3 Lord Mayor’s Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The seven-year-old weakened in the home straight and a post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be suffering from atrial fibrillation.
“He didn’t pull up flash. He fibrillated and it wasn’t anybody’s fault, it just happens, and they can do that occasionally,” Richardson said.
“It was quite disappointing because his work last Tuesday was outstanding, but he is good now which is the main thing.
“He is going to spell over there for six to eight weeks and it will do him the world of good.
“He is not a great spring horse. I will bring him up slowly when he is back in New Zealand.”
Richardson had been quietly confident heading into the Lord Mayor’s Cup and was pleased with his first-up run in the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) when beaten just over six lengths by in-form galloper Zaaki.
“His run first up in the Hollindale was very good. He was the first Kiwi home, he went well and the track wasn’t 100 percent,” Richardson said.
“He is a lot better now than what he was on Saturday night, that is for sure.”
Richardson and Norvall, like many Kiwi trainers, will tick over through the winter with a number of young horses coming through the stable doing their early education.