Warrnambool trainer Ciaron Maher has abandoned plans to take Al Garhood to New Zealand for the Great Northern Steeplechase at Ellerslie in September.
Maher said the dual Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase winner would instead go for a break before he attempts to bring him back for another shot at the Annual next year.
“I was going to take him but he had a little bit of pain in one sesamoid and I had him X-rayed and there was nothing there,” he said.
“But everything has to be 100 per cent to go forward.
“Whether he knocked it I don’t know but he’ll go for a break now.
“He normally is spelling at this time of the year and he’ll just have a rest and maybe come back next year, we’ll see.
“The weight they’ll give him is a bit of a worry. I’ll have to have a chat to the handicapper.”
The 11-year-old carried 69kg to win this year’s Grand Annual by 4-1/2 lengths from Awakening Dream who was the only other horse of the eight starters to complete the 5500m course.
Al Garhood has won 11 races and been placed another 11 times over the jumps for more than $500,000 in prizemoney.
He also won the 2010 Von Doussa Steeple at Oakbank and the 2008 and 2009 Brierly Steeple at Warrnambool.
AAP TURF
