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One of the country’s leading three-year-olds has made his final appearance in New Zealand.

The Tony Pike-trained Raghu is currently enjoying a break before he furthers his career overseas, as was always the intention.

“He’s owned in Hong Kong so he won’t race here again before he heads up there,” the Cambridge horseman said.

Raghu made impressive progress this season after finishing runner-up in a Te Aroha maiden on debut in October.

He was successful at his next start at Te Awamutu and two placings preceded his Listed win in the Karaka 3YO Mile.

The son of Showcasing held his form at black type level to run a close second in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas, finished third equal in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas and was again third behind his stablemate Rangipo in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby.

Freshened after Ellerslie, Raghu’s connections had considered a possible tilt at the Gr.1 Queensland Derby before he was sent to Hong Kong, but those plans changed after the gelding ran fifth when resuming last month.

“He jarred up on the really firm track at Te Rapa so he’s having a nice break,” Pike said.