A special meeting on Sunday night, of the syndicate which races Changeover, decided the horse would stay with trainer Geoff Small until after proceedings against him are finalised.
Suggestions that the stallion value of Changeover may have been decimated by the recent findings against Small have been quashed by a huge offer for the stallion.
On Sunday, the ATC Trot syndicate which races the 2008 New Zealand Cup winner voted to leave the 6yr-old in the care of Small until the future of the trainer has been decided.
Small was disqualified for two years by Sydney officials after Changeover returned a positive swab to tranexamic acid after winning the Len Smith Mile in April.
He has appealed and been granted a stay of proceedings until the appeal is heard.
That was set down for tomorrow week but has now been put back a day, and there could be further delays because of a backlog of cases to be heard by the New South Wales Appeals Tribunal.
Syndicate manager Rob Carr said a strong majority of the 50-strong members (32 to 10) voted that Changeover remain in the care of Small until his appeal process is completed.
"So, at this stage, we are pressing forward as normal and if Geoff's situation changes we will have contingencies in place," Carr said.
Changeover has the Kumeu Cup at Alexandra Park on October 9 as his final assignment in the North Island before heading to the South Island then Sydney and Victoria.
Changeover would be unlikely to return to Auckland until the Auckland Cup in March.
The controversy that has surrounded the champion pacer, particularly this year, has routinely been used as a reason for his critics to doubt his future stud value.
The New Zealand Herald believes a major New Zealand stud has made a firm offer of $2 million for Changeover.
While Carr will not comment on the offer, it is understood the $2 million would still allow the syndicate to race Changeover until the end of the season, at which point he would be retired.
That offer seems to pour cold water on speculation Changeover has plummeted in value in the past two years.
His connections were offered $3 million as a late 3yr-old but that took into account his huge future racetrack earning potential and was also before some form slumps and the emergence of Auckland Reactor.
It will be a huge surprise if the $2 million offer is not accepted but even then Changeover will remain in the care of Small until the appeal is decided.
Changeover races next in the $25,000 Spring Cup, a 2200m free-for-all from a stand at Alexandra Park on Friday night, when he takes on Awesome Armbro, Pembrook Benny, Ohoka Dallas and Big Dog.
The meeting also features the return of champion trotting mare One Over Kenny and North Island trotter of the year Sovereignty.
The $15,000 race is over 2700m.
One Over Kenny is the backmarker on 30m.
