Kelly, 42, will saddle his last two runners, WONDERFUL HERO and CLUB LOUI, on Sunday and leave on the next plane for South Korea.

"I’m going through a tough period where some of my owners have pulled out their horses. This is normal in horse racing. But with the new MRA ruling for all trainers to have a certain number of horses coming up soon, it’s not advisable for me to remain. It’s purely on a business point of view," Kelly told a local daily.

Kelly was referring to the new MRA ruling that requires all trainers to have at least 20 horses in their stables. This comes into effect on Jan 1.

The Adelaide born Kelly made his Malaysian training debut in Ipoh in 2000 during which he saddled 20 winners to finish 12th to runaway winner John Sargent.

He moved to Penang in 2001 and scored 15 winners that year, during which his gutsy galloper INNOCENT (br.a.g Fraar - Allura by Wthout Fear) finished a half-length second to the Indian-bred SADDLE UP in the Tunku Cold Cup (2,000m).

Kelly saddled 11 winners in 2002 and last season, managed 12 wins. He has managed only two winners this season, including EASY GEIGER (b.a.g Geiger Counter - Flutes by Lunchtime) in the South Australian Jockey Club Trophy in Penang List month.

"I want to thank Tan Sri (V. Jeyaratnam, Chairman of Perak Turf Club) and all the Penang Turf Club committee members for all their support during my four and half years here," said Kelly.