Trainer John Sargent concedes he knows little about Quintessential’s opposition but is confident the filly can produce a strong Queensland Oaks trial in the Group Three Gunsynd Classic at Eagle Farm.
Sargent is hopeful of a two-state feature double with the New Zealand Oaks placegetter in Saturday’s 1600-metre feature in Brisbane and Kasumi in the Group One Australasian Oaks at Morphettville.
Quintessential is having her first start since finishing third to Artistic in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 17.
Former top New Zealand jockey Bruce Compton is looking after Sargent’s winter carnival team and has given the Kiwi trainer a glowing report.
“It’s been a while since her last run but Bruce said she went very well when he rode her in a gallop against Trump at Doomben on Tuesday,” Sargent said.
“She’s got a big finish and 1600 metres shouldn’t worry her. .
“I don’t know much about her opposition but she’s going well and I’d be very surprised if she doesn’t run a good race.”
Chris Munce has been engaged to ride Quintessential in the Gunsynd Classic but no rider has been confirmed yet for her next assignments in the Group Three The Roses (2020m) at Doomben on May 19 and Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 2.
Sargent currently has eight horses in Brisbane for the winter but more are in the pipeline to come over from his New Zealand base.
“I decided to send Kasumi to Adelaide for the Australasian Oaks only because I’ve got my doubts whether she’ll run 2400 metres,” he said.
“She’s more suitable to the 2000 metres in Adelaide but if she happens to win I might bring her to Brisbane as well.”
Kasumi will be ridden by Queensland jockey Damian Browne in the Australasian Oaks.
The daughter of Shinko King won three of her seven starts in her homeland before finishing fourth to Cornell in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) at Morphettville on April 14.
Sargent has more than 30 years training experience including five-years in Singapore.
He’s considering opening a satellite stable in Sydney to complement his big New Zealand operation.
“New Zealand will still be central to my operation but ideally I would like to be in a position to send selected horses, especially stayers, to Sydney,” he said.
“My preference would be to have a base at one of the Sydney metropolitan tracks but there are options further out that could work for me.
“If my plans come together I doubt whether anything would happen before September or October and the impact on my New Zealand stable will probably be only an initial 10 or 20 per cent reduction.”
