International warrior Bauer has run his last race but plans are in place to make sure he won’t be lost to the racetrack.
Bauer, famously nosed out by Viewed in the 2008 Melbourne Cup, was retired after finishing fourth in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
“He put his head out and hung in for fourth but it wasn’t to be his day,” part-owner Simon O’Donnell told pay television channel Sky Racing.
“He’s retired.”
On the strength of a Haydock win in September, Bauer convinced English-based trainer Luca Cumani he was worthy of a another trip to Australia despite his advancing years.
But hopes of a second Melbourne Cup start for the grey were thwarted by the ballot when Bauer was left stranded just outside the top 24 acceptors.
A luckless Geelong Cup placing behind eventual Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden meant Bauer was less than $1000 in stakes shy of making last Tuesday’s field.
O’Donnell said Bauer would be given an easy time in a paddock before being tried as a clerk of the course horse.
“He’ll go home and have a rest, a bit of R and R,” O’Donnell said.
“A couple of the clerk of the course guys are very keen to get hold of him but we’ll just let him go and have some R and R first and then probably launch it.
“He could be leading in a (Melbourne) Cup winner one day.”
A nine-year-old, Bauer retires with seven wins and six placings in 26 starts with earnings close to $1.2 million.
AAP TURF
