Leveraction pulls plug

Popular Echuca galloper Leveraction has been retired due to a tendon injury.

Trainer Daryl Archard said the decision was a nobrainer after suffering the setback.

‘‘We found he tore a f lexor tendon,’’ Archard told Racing.com

‘‘If he was a bit younger, you’d be able to do something about it, but at the age he is, we weighed up a few things . . . how long it takes to get him back, the level he has to run at, made it a bit hard.

‘‘We didn’t want to break him down completely, so we decided with the owners to pull the plug on him.’’

Leveraction bows out on a high, having won the Echuca Cup in May before saluting at Flemington at his next start.

The former Queenslander earned $433 580 in prizemoney from a 78-start career highlighted by 13 wins and 24 minor placings.

Apprentice jockey Brooke Sweeney built a strong rapport with the rising eightyear-old during the latter stages of his career.

The Jerilderie hoop rode him seven times for four wins, including those memorable Echuca Cup and Flemington triumphs.

● Mahuta, who boasts some Shepparton-based owners, resumes from a spell in the $150 000 Bletchingly Stakes (1200 m) at Caulfield today.

The Group Three has attracted a smart field, with the rising four-year-old clearly one of the leading chances in the weight-forage feature at $3.40.

Mahuta, who shot to attention on the back of six consecutive wins last preparation, hails from the allconquering Darren Weir stable and will be ridden by Brad Rawiller.

Lindsay Park Euroa is represented by Fast ’N’ Rocking, rated on the second line of betting around the $4 mark.