Group One winner Aegon has arrived back in New Zealand after a two-start campaign in Melbourne.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained four-year-old finished an eye catching fourth in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) and looked to be travelling well in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday, but punctured in the concluding stages to finish 11th.
A subsequent veterinary examination identified the presence of blood at one nostril, which was attributable to external trauma.
The son of Sacred Falls could potentially still run in the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney in late October, but his first port of call will be the paddock.
“I went out and saw him this morning (Thursday), and he looks bloody good,” Forsman said.
“He’s bright and happy to be out running about in the paddock. A week on the grass in the fresh air will be good for him then we’ll get him back in and see what we do with him.” – NZ Racing Desk