Champion stayer Tornado Tears’ imminent return to racing has been placed on the short-term backburner.

The five-time Group 1 winner will now be set for a third tilt at the Group 1 Sandown Cup (715m), which kicks off with heats in mid-May.

Tornado Tears defeated his litter brother Rippin’ Sam in the 2018 Sandown Cup, and last year finished seventh to Rajasthan.

WATCH: Tornado Tears (7) defeat his litter brother Rippin’ Sam (8) and Quick Jagger (3) in the 2018 G1 Sandown Cup. (It was a trifecta for trainer Robert Britton)

Lara trainer Robert Britton decided to put things on hold after Tornado Tears trialled “below expectations” over 515 metres at Sandown last Saturday.

“He was right on track for a comeback, but his trial was disappointing… I’m now in two minds where he’s at,” Britton said. “So, I’ll take a cautious approach and get him ready for the Sandown Cup.”

A winner of 32 races from 57 starts, Tornado Tears (Feb ’16 Fernando Bale x Tears Siam) hasn’t raced since finishing fifth in the G3 The Miata (715m) at Cannington, Perth, on February 1.

Tornado Tears was then scratched from the invitational G1 Zoom Top (725m) during the Australian Cup Carnival at The Meadows after he sprung a toe in an exercise yard at home.

He is the seventh-highest stakes earner in the sport’s history with $891,810 in prizemoney.

Britton has previously said there are no retirement plans for his champ and “he’ll race until he ‘says’ he’s had enough”.