Zed four-year-old Verry Flash will head to the spelling paddock after a disappointing unplaced finish in the Interprovincial Challenge (1600m) at New Plymouth on Saturday.

Trainer Nicholas Bishara said his gelding was never a chance in the race after getting worked up beforehand.

“He travelled down well, but we couldn’t get him from the barn to the tie-ups, he really threw a paddy,” he said.

“He broke into a sweat and it took four of us to saddle him. He had run his race before he had even got there. He couldn’t wait to get on the float to go home afterwards.”

Bishara said Verry Flash would now go to the spelling paddock before returning to the track for summer racing.

“He’ll have six weeks and we’ll probably bring him back around Christmas. We’ll give him a couple of runs then and prove all those doubters wrong, that he can handle better ground.”