The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained mare Coulee has been retired.
The 6yr-old chestnut will head to the broodmare paddock as a three-time group 3 winner with seven other wins to her name.
Coulee went a poor race by her high standards when running ninth in her quest to win three consecutive South Island Breeders' Stakes races last weekend.
That showing, and having a pedigree page already filled with black print, meant the decision to retire Coulee was an easy one, Brian Anderton said.
''She has been a great mare and has nothing left to prove.''
Coulee struggled to sprint like she can on a slow Riccarton track, Anderton said.
''She was under double wraps coming up to the turn but in the straight she couldn't do it.
''We could have kept her going but with the easing of the ground there is not much point, really.''
Coulee's biggest win was when she downed her stablemate, Tommy Tucker, in last year's group 3 White Robe Lodge Handicap.
She ran sixth behind Tommy Tucker in this year's race under weight-for-age conditions.
Coulee is likely to be mated with White Robe Lodge sire Ghibellines in the spring, Anderton said.
The mare's retirement thins the South Island's open ranks, she bows out as the highest-rated mare in the South.
Injury to Princess Brook means Fascinate takes over as Otago's leading mare.
She has a chance to justify that claim by winning the Francolin Stakes at Riverton on Saturday.
Fascinate ran second in last year's South Island Breeders' Stakes at Riccarton, but
missed this year's edition after a float mishap.
But the mare has recovered from that incident and worked strongly this week in preparation for the 1400m fillies and mares' feature.
The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained Elfee looks exceptionally hard to beat in the Francolin Stakes.
The 6yr-old was held up before charging into second behind La Fille En Jeu in the South Island Breeders' Stakes at Riccarton last weekend.
Apprentice BB Hong's 3kg claim means Elfee has a 4kg weight advantage over Fascinate and a 7kg advantage over the topweight, Twoznotenough.
Flying Sardine, who one place behind Elfee last weekend, will carry the featherweight of 51kg thanks to Brett Murray
who claims 3kg.
Son Of Zac has opened a dominant $2.90 favourite for the listed Riverton Cup.
The Kevin and Pam Hughes-trained galloper won last weekend's 1800m Hororata Cup and steps up to the 2147m of Saturday's feature.
Topweight Gallant Boy is a leading chance for the event but must carry 60kg compared with Son Of Zac's 53kg.
The race gives Taniwha a good chance to turn around his last-start flop in the Gore Cup.
Come Fly With Me is another leading chance.
