Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Vin De Dance will not contest the two-mile feature and will return home to New Zealand after a below par performance in last Sunday’s Listed Cranbourne Cup (2025m).

The Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner had an interrupted campaign after suffering from back soreness and failed to fire in his two starts, including his tenth placing at Cranbourne.

“He didn’t run up to expectations last week,” co-trainer Murray Baker said.

“He’s a good stayer but there is just something there that we can’t pick up at the moment, so we will send him home to New Zealand and give him a spell.

Meanwhile, stablemate Peaceful, who finished towards the rear in the Gr.1 Caulfield 1000 Guineas (1600m) was found to be heavily in season.

The daughter of Savabeel will likely contest the Listed Jim Beam Black Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.