The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Public Attention is heading to New Zealand for a lucrative slot race.

The three-year-old will compete in the Ozzie Kheir slot in the The NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie on March 8, ruling him out of the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on the same day. He will join Evaporate, trained by the Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will, and J D Hayes.

Price initially had his sights set on the Guineas for the colt but decided to switch targets after discussions with Tom Magnier from Coolmore Stud.

“Tom Magnier rang me and said there was a number of factors that influenced them to go,” Price explained to RSN.

“He’s got a very New Zealand pedigree. He’s a son of Written Tycoon, he’s won a Stakes race over 1200 metres, and there have been a few studs over there that have shown some interest in him.”

Public Attention has had a strong campaign, winning the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick on February 8, followed by a fourth-place finish in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes.

“He grabbed the bridle a bit in the blinkers and put himself up there, and when you’re in that cart-up spot, it’s never any good,” Price said of the Hobartville race.

Public Attention will head to New Zealand on Sunday and be stabled at Cambridge Stud, with Wiremu Pinn booked for the ride.