Veteran galloper Zadar Rock could be in line for a fitting farewell should he succeed in the $60,000 Carnarvon Cup (2000m) on Saturday.

The eight-year-old son of Awesome Rock has been an honourable servant to the Dean Cocivera stable across the past three north-west seasons, winning two Roebourne Cups, placing in three Port Hedland Cups and finishing no worse than fourth in three tilts in the Broome Cup.

However, this weekend could be the final time the 49-start gelding faces the starter, according to Cocivera.

“I’ll never say never, but it’s probably more leaning towards that,” Cocivera said.

“Just the way the system is for these horses, he’s that highly rated now, it makes it very hard for us to bring him back next year.”

Zadar Rock was last seen when third in this year’s Broome Cup almost a month ago having sustained a rigorous racing schedule at Roebourne and Port Hedland prior.

“He’s come along quite nice,” Cocivera said. “Broome was a pretty tough run on him. So, the four weeks between runs has helped him out.”

“I thought the Hedland Cup, he did about as much as he could with that weight.

“The tempo of the race and backing up weak apart from Roebourne as well probably wasn’t ideal.

“I thought his run in Broome was amazing. It was a great ride by Jordan (Turner) and I was very happy with 60.5(kg).”

The 11-time winner was beaten only a length by Kings Sicario at Broome and although now carrying 62.5kg, he still meets that galloper 2.5kg better off.

Kings Sicario is trained by Darryn Pateman, who has won three Carnarvon Cups in the past decade with Tell Me This (2017), Powerful (2023) and Gambler’s Gold (2024).

The Broome Cup victor leads the market at $3.90 ahead of the Tim Pike-prepared Dynamic One ($5.50) and Zadar Rock ($6.50).

Cocivera says Zadar Rock is the best horse he has trained, finishing worse than fourth only once under his care.

The gelding’s looming retirement is also propelled by his affinity for dirt racing rather than turf as the country racing season draws to a close.

“He must like the sun on his back once he gets here,” he said.

“He does grow a leg with the dirt racing. I think they go a lot harder, so he gets his chance to find his speed and then wind up into it.

“The rest of them are probably a little bit off their legs by then.”

+ Snowdome ($2.90f) heads the call for the $100,000 Nicopolis Stakes (1200m) at Belmont over Rissoles ($3.40), Haida Gwaii ($5) and Fast Flicker ($6.50).

Snowdome has not won in more than 18 months but has placed third at each of his past three starts, all in Listed company.