Cautious approach with Pentathlon

The racing future of tough stayer Pentathlon is in doubt after the seven-year-old pulled up a bit scratchy following his sixthplacing in the Egmont Cup

(2100m) earlier this month. The son of Pentire has banked

$400,000 in prizemoney and proved competitive in some of Australasia’s feature staying races including placings in the

Gr.2 Wellington Cup (3200m), Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m),

Gr.3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) and

Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m). Trainer John Wheeler will take a cautious approach before confirming whether the gelding races on.

“I got him x-rayed after Hawera and he was just a bit scratchy and there are some changes in a fetlock joint,” Wheeler said.

“Within four days he has come right and is working soundly again. I am just marking time with him. I am definitely not going to Melbourne with him and I am definitely not going to the New Zealand Cup.

“I have informed the owners that I will probably retire him, but I haven’t actually done it.

“I would hate for him to break down as he is such a neat horse and he will make someone a great hack.

“It was a reasonably firm track and he probably gave something a bit of a tickle up. He’s got a bit of age on him now, but he’s only had 39 starts. The x-rays showed some changes, so I am just being really cautious.”

Wheeler said he would refrain from turning Pentathlon out for another spell because he is such a good-doing horse.

“He’s the most relaxed horse you would ever see, and he just eats. It takes a long time to get him back to fitness.

“If I turn him out, he’s retired.”

Meanwhile, Wheeler is likely to be represented at the New Zealand Cup carnival by progressive four-year-olds Abacus and Irish Flame.NZ