Regally bred Counterattack heads to stud this week without a much desired Group One win but with a reputation as one of the most consistent stakes performers of recent times.

In what sums up his career, Counterattack had no luck when fourth in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.

It followed a second in the Group One Doomben 10,000 and a third in the Group One Kingsford Smith Cup which helped him reach $270,000 prize money for the winter.

Counterattack's overall record in stakes races was three wins and eight minor placings.

Trainer Chris Waller believed Counterattack never got much luck in stakes races.

"Something always seemed to be against him in the big ones," Walledr said.

Jockey Leith Innes who rode Counterattack in the Stradbroke agreed.

"He was slow to jump and then was involved in a couple of things in the straight. Would he have won? I don't know but he should have finished closer," Innes said.

Owner Geoff Grimish decided the Kingsford Smith Cup and the Stradbroke would bring Counterattack's career to a close.

Counterattack will return to his birthplace at Kitchwin Hills Stud.

He has the right breeding being by Redoute's Choice out of the well performed Snippets mare Kisma making him a half brother to the Waller-trained Group One winners Red Tracer and Shellscrape.