Group Three performer Marotiri Miss has been retired after she was diagnosed with a fractured pastern bone following her courageous fourth placing in Saturday's Gr.3 Winter Cup at Riccarton.

Awapuni trainer Richard French said Marotiri Miss pulled up lame and was noticeably distressed after returning to the tie-up stalls following the 1600m feature in which she had finished second last year.

"We had her X-rayed and she's fractured her pastern bone. She's at Canterbury Equine and she'll have an operation there tomorrow [Monday]," French said.

French expected Marotiri Miss to need two months' box recovery before she was ready to be served with Rich Hill Stud stallion Shocking, probably towards the end of September.

A winner of five of her 36 starts, Marotiri Miss also finished third in last year's Gr.3 Merial Metric Mile at Awapuni and three times finished fourth at Listed level.