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Matamata trainer John Sargent has ruled out a crack at the A$3.5 million Golden Slipper Stakes in Sydney next month for brilliant two-year-old filly Banchee.
Sargent had a round table discussion about a Slipper tilt on Friday with the crack filly's Hastings part-owner Sam Kelt.
"I was keen to give it a go but Sam has made the decision not to take her over to Sydney," said Sargent.
The main reason for not proceeding with the trans-tasman trip was the cost as the late entry fee required a payment of $NZ195,000.
"She is the best two-year-old I have trained and I felt she would be very competitive in the Slipper but I fully respect the decision Sam has made," he said.
Instead Banchee will remain in New Zealand to contest the $200,000 Central Region Ford Dealers Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on April 3.
Banchee has been in outstanding form in New Zealand this season culminating in successes in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders Stakes at Matamata and Group 1 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie in her last two outings.
Sargent said the Oratorio filly had come through those wins in splendid order.
"The racing has taken nothing out of her and she is as bright as a button," he said.
"She is the perfect horse to train because all she does away from the track is sleep and eat."
"In saying that the Manawatu Sires will probably be her last race of the season. She has got a big three-year-old year ahead of her," Sargent said.
"We will see the best of her once she gets up over 1600 metres in the spring."
Leith Innes will again have the mount on Banchee in the Manawatu Sires.
