Consistent three-year-old Harlech (Darci Brahma) has been sent for a small break after his fourth-placing in the Karaka Million 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

It was the first time the consistent colt finished outside the top three this season, having won the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) and placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m), and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m).

Michael Moroney, who trains the colt in partnership with Pam Gerard, said Harlech’s lengthy campaign began to show in Saturday’s contest.

“I thought he just raced a little bit tired, even though he didn’t get a lot of luck in the running.

“He got a bit further back from the draw (5). He was following the two that beat him, they got a run through and he had to come out and got shoved off the track.

“From halfway down the straight to the winning post he lacked a little bit of zip that he normally has.

“He did pull up looking pretty tired, so he has gone to the paddock briefly and we will work out if we can get him back in time for Sydney or whether we wait until Queensland.

“The Rosehill Guineas (Gr.1, 2000m) is the right race, but whether we can get there is the question.”

Moroney alluded that Harlech has run his last race in New Zealand for the foreseeable future, however, he hasn’t ruled out a lead-in run in his homeland ahead of his autumn campaign.

“I would think so (last race in New Zealand). Having said that, we haven’t made a decision yet, he may be seen here in New Zealand and even have a run before he goes to Australia,” he said.

“The latter part of his thee-year-old season was always planned to be in Australia.”

-NZ Racing Desk