His stable mate and arch rival Monkey King will fly the flag in that race, also the Rangiora Classic on 27 April which was to have been Baileys Dream’s last start for the season as well.

Baileys Dream would now be spelled at Kaiapoi for almost 10 weeks, Hill said.

He was to have been turned out for six weeks after contesting the $50,000 Rangiora Classic on 27 April.

Principal trainer Steven Reid said it made sense to prepare the two star pacers at Kaiapoi for the next New Zealand Cup because of more and better preparatory racing than in the North Island.

“We are not sure what is troubling Baileys Dream,’’ Hill said.

“We have had him checked out by the vet and we will wait and see for a few days…

We are playing it safe with no big races around anyway and it is a good time to spell and rest him.’’

Baileys Dream bows out with a grand season's tally of 16 starts for six wins, four seconds and three thirds for stakes of $231,766.

His career record stands at 53 starts for 21 wins, 11 seconds and seven thirds for earnings of $835,301.

Don Wright