New Zealand’s 2009/10 Champion Two-Year-Old Banchee has shown that she is on track to make her spring return with a good trial win at Cambridge today for trainer John Sargent.

Banchee (NZ) (Oratorio x Miss Jessie Jay) came into today’s trial with a good second under her belt at the Te Teko trials in early September, with jockey James McDonald aboard on both occasions. With Sargent happy with Banchee’s progress, the four-year-old is set to have her first start this preparation at Matamata or Hawera on October 8.

With a big spring campaign ahead, Banchee holds a nomination for the Group 2 7th Coupland's Bakeries Mile at Canterbury on November 9.

Sargent has indicated that the mare’s ultimate spring target will be the Group 1 Myer Classic in Melbourne. A course well known for its spacious track, Sargent is confident the big Flemington straight will be to Banchee’s advantage as it will give her plenty of time and room to warm up and produce her big finish.

A Group 1 winner of the Auckland Diamond Stakes as a two-year-old, Banchee was again to the fore last season when putting in a powerful display to win New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka 3YO Mile.

A beautifully bred mare, Banchee is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Katie Lee (Pins) and is out of New Zealand’s 2009/10 Broodmare of the Year, the Group 3 winner Miss Jessie Jay who is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Gee I Jane (Jahafil).