The Melbourne Cup Carnival has been a happy hunting ground for expat Kiwi trainer John Sargent, and he is hoping to extend his run of success in the coming week.
The Randwick-based trainer will campaign New Zealand-bred filly Powers Of Opal (NZ) (Ocean Park) in Melbourne, beginning with the Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Derby Day.
Sargent has won the race on three previous occasions – Kirramosa (2013), Thunder Lady (2014), and Luvaluva (2017) – with Kirramosa also going on to win the Gr.1 Victoria Oaks (2400m).
Powers Of Opal will be looking to replicate that feat and is currently a $4 favourite for next Thursday’s Oaks.
Sargent purchased the daughter of Ocean Park, in partnership with bloodstock agent Duncan Ramage, out of Curraghmore’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $130,000.
She has had six starts for Sargent to date, culminating in a maiden victory over a mile at Hawkesbury earlier this month after finishing fourth in the Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m).
“She goes down to Melbourne (on) Wednesday and runs in the Wakeful and if she pulls up well, she’ll go for the Oaks,” Sargent told Racing.com.
“She was just ridden upside down in the Flight Stakes. She was leading and wasn’t meant to be there, and it told in the latter half of the race.
“Ridden a bit colder, she’s got a good turn of foot, and she should be a real nice type to take down to Melbourne.”
Bred by Greg Tomlinson under his Nearco Stud banner, Tomlinson has remained in the ownership, which also includes Think Big Stud, with the filly racing in their famous colours.
