KEY POINTS:
An appalling track nearly cost Baileys Dream victory in yesterday's Hannon Memorial at Oamaru - before the race was even run.
The Pukekohe pacer moved into second favouritism for the New Zealand Cup when he came from last to down Classic Cullen and Flashing Red in the $30,000
feature run under disgraceful conditions.
The track resembled a paddy field after a large quantity of new topping placed on it last Tuesday turned to sludge when the rain came on Saturday night.
The surface became patchy, causing some late scratchings during the day and Baileys Dream was nearly one of them.
Caretaker trainer Brendon Hill, who runs Steven Reid's southern stables, was advised to scratch as soon as he arrived on track.
"I had good judges like Mark Jones telling me to scratch because Bailey was too good to risk on that track," said Hill.
"We went out and walked the track and it got better as the day progressed but even then I told Ricky [May, driver] to warm him up and if he wasn't happy bring him off the track and we would have scratched.
"It wasn't good and we definitely wouldn't have started him if the track had remained like it was earlier."
News of the drama saw Baileys Dream drift out to nearly $6 but he won the race like a $2 chance.
After being slow away he was still giving favourite Flashing Red 12 lengths with a lap to go and was forced four wide when he made his run.
It mattered little as he powered home, confirming he is in career-best form by remaining unbeaten this campaign.
While there was no doubting it was a dominant performance it is hard to work out exactly what affect the track had on his rivals.
May was confident that wide on the track was the best place to be, suggesting Flashing Red may have been in the worst of the going down on the inside.
That gives him some excuse for a race he should have won.
Baileys Dream's performance increases the pressure on May, who until 10 days ago was expected to partner 2005 winner Mainland Banner in the New Zealand Cup.
With Baileys Dream now the $5.50 second elect for the November 13 race and Mainland Banner not even sighted at the trials it would be hard to justify getting off yesterday's winner to drive the mare.
While May would not commit to Baileys Dream as his cup drive yesterday, it looks almost certain he will stay with him.
If he doesn't, then four-time New Zealand Cup winning driver Todd Mitchell should be next in line.
Changeover remains the Cup favourite but drifted out to his opening quote of $3.20 after yesterday's race.