Group One winning mare Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock) is likely to have a short break after finishing runner-up to fellow high-class mare Levante (NZ) (Proisir) in Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.

The clash of the two top-liners had been one of the highlights of summer racing, with Entriviere drawing first blood in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) when comfortably accounting for Levante, only for the tables to be turned in both the Gr.1 Telegraph and BCD Group Sprint.

Saturday’s contest was an enthralling tactical affair in which Ryan Elliot aboard Levante pocketed Opie Bosson and Entriviere for much of the race before getting the first run when making an early move before the bend and staving off Entriviere, who was held up momentarily and shouldered between horses to make her challenge.

“I thought Entriviere’s run was solid,” trainer Jamie Richards told Weigh In.

“Unfortunately, we just got held up at the wrong time. Levante got up a full head of steam and just got that margin on us that we were unable to peg back.

“They are two quality mares. I think if you reverse the runs in the race, you reverse the result. Unfortunately, it didn’t go our way there on Saturday.

“She has come through it in good shape, and we will probably give her a little break now and look to have her ready for Brisbane in the winter.”

Richards, who has been licensed as a trainer in Hong Kong from next season, is set to depart New Zealand’s shores on April 1, along with partner Danielle Johnson.