"By missing a run on Saturday, it means he won't be ready for the Caulfield Cup or the Melbourne Cup after that so we have had to shift to Plan B.
"We are going to wait and see what decision is taken with rescheduling the Livamol and if it fits in he will remain here to contest the race before heading over to Melbourne to run in the Emirates Stakes.
"If for some reason they can't reschedule the Livamol or it isn't on a date that suits he will go to Melbourne a little earlier and have a lead-up run to the Emirates over there."
While naturally disappointed by Saturday's turn of events Ellis confirmed the possibility of missing the Caulfield Cup had always been in the back of his mind. "With racing you always have to keep as many options on the table that you can so we had thought about different scenarios if things didn't go to plan," he explained.
"Originally we had thought about going to Melbourne for his final Caulfield Cup lead-up but we were mindful of the travel and doing what was best for the horse.
"We felt the best option was to stay and contest the Livamol which minimised the travel for him but circumstances have dictated that is not to be.
"You have to remember he is only a four-year-old and the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups will still be there next year and the year after that so there is plenty of time to accomplish those goals."
While Ellis is disappointed for the horse and his connections he is also feeling for Hawke's Bay Racing Incorporated who have had their flagship day of the year cruelly cut short.
"I really feel for the club as they had a sell-out crowd and it promised to be a wonderful day's racing," he noted. "In the end safety is paramount and the right decision was made to call the meeting off."
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing have indicated that discussions with Hawke's Bay Racing are continuing with the view to an announcement on the rescheduling of the Livamol Classic to be made in the next few days.
?Awapuni three-year-old Hard Merchandize upset the applecart when he led all the way to take out the Gr. 2 Sacred Falls Hawke's Bay Guineas on Saturday.
The winner of the Listed Castletown Stakes as a two-year-old, Hard Merchandize was overlooked by punters as their pre-race attention centred on four well supported runners from the Tony Pike stable, including Haussmann who was installed as a warm favourite.
Relishing the softer underfoot conditions, Hard Merchandize sprang straight to the lead to dictate a muddling tempo during the early stages of the event. Rider Cameron Lammas stacked the field up approaching the home bend before asking the Gary Vile trained runner to sprint hard as they straightened. The response was immediate as the Burgundy gelding snuck a small break on his immediate chasers which were headed by Jimmy Lincoln, Bostonian and Griffin, who had stalked him throughout.
Hard Merchandize fought for all he was worth as he repelled a late lunge from the previously unbeaten Bostonian to hold the barest of winning margins at the line, with Jimmy Lincoln just a breath away in third.
- NZ Racing Desk
