Gore trainer Ellis Winsloe had intended to start the 9yr-old in the steeplechase to help him regain his confidence after he fell in the Grand National Steeplechase 12 days ago.
Rider Daniel Bothamley has opted to stay with Kidunot.
He is the regular rider of Magic Man, who has also been entered for the race.
Richard Cully or Matthew Cropp are in line to ride Magic Man.
Both Kidunot and Bothamley were unscathed after the fall in the national.
Winsloe said last night a decision on a trip to Auckland for the Great Northern Hurdles on Saturday week would be made after Oamaru.
"We will be guided by the weather. If it is too wet, we won't be going. The track looked pretty wet for the Pakuranga Hunt Cup last Saturday."
"If we do go, he will contest the Great Northern Hurdles."
"He has had only three starts over the big fences and he would not be seasoned enough for the testing conditions over the steeples.
"We have the option to look at the steeplechase next year," Winsloe said last night.
Kidunot has had 17 starts over hurdles for six wins.
The gelding has won two of his three appearances over country.
He won the Great Northern Hurdles last year.
He has not started in a hurdles since finishing second to Magic Man at Washdyke in June.
