Last season’s Champion two-year-old Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy) has been ruled out of the spring care of a chip in a fetlock.

The Mark Walker-trained daughter of Burgundy won four of her five starts as a juvenile including the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), and the Gr.3 Platinum Homes 2YO Classic (1200m).

“It had been there for a while and we have decided to take it out,” Walker said.

“She will miss the spring, but she will be back around Christmas time racing. She looked a bit long in the winter coat, so I think it will be a blessing long term.”

Maven Belle’s only defeat came when a close third in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) behind Lickety Split (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), and she had also trialled well at Avondale last month.