“It was a bit of a difficult one but it’s the right time for us to sell as he’ll be four in a few months’ time and it’s an opportune time to let him go,” said trainer Cran Dalgety.

“I felt a bit sorry for the club having to pull him out but we can still win it with Pat’s Delight,” he said.

Master Moonlite has been sold by Ashburton agent Peter Larkin to clients of young Terang trainer Mattie Craven.

“I understand they want to get him over there find a few easy kills, then set him for the Breeders Crown in August,” said Dalgety.

Master Moonlite campaigned in the early stages of his race career in last year’s Breeders Crown 2YO colts and geldings series, winning a heat, running third in a semi-final and going unplaced in the final.