First-up expectations are being kept in check for Group One winner Quintessential, a pioneer horse for New Zealand trainer John Sargent’s new Sydney stable.
Sargent opened a Sydney satellite operation at Warwick Farm last month with the premier New Zealand trainer’s Chelmsford Stakes day representatives, headed by Quintessential, to be his first feature runners out of the new yard.
Queensland Oaks winner Quintessential kicks off a planned Cups campaign in the Group Three Tramway Handicap (1400m) while New Zealand Group One-placed colt Magic Shaft will be tested in Australia for the first time in the Listed Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m).
With a lot of Sargent’s clients keen to race their horses in Australia, Sargent opened a Warwick Farm base last month and he has nine horses in Sydney.
“I won the premiership in New Zealand last season and this is a good challenge for me,” Sargent said.
Quintessential rose to prominence during the Brisbane winter carnival, winning the Group One Queensland Oaks and finishing second to Brambles in the Queensland Derby.
Sargent said the mare should be hitting the line strongly on Saturday but expects her to improve on whatever she does.
“I gave her a good spell in Queensland and she’s up and running now and had a trial at Hawkesbury last week where she came from last to finish fourth,” Sargent said.
“Her coat is not quite there yet so what she does on Saturday she will improve on.”
Quintessential is being aimed at the Caulfield Cup and was also among Melbourne Cup nominations on Tuesday.
“I’ll probably run her again in Sydney and make sure her two runs are good,” Sargent said.
“If they are she’ll carry on to Melbourne.”
Brisbane-based Damian Browne rode the mare in Brisbane and in her Hawkesbury trial but Sargent said he had commitments this weekend so Brenton Avdulla has the Tramway ride.
“He (Browne) will probably be back on her after this,” Sargent said.
“He’ll have first right of refusal.”
Three-year-old Magic Shaft will be ridden by James McDonald in the Ming Dynasty.
The colt was second in the Group One Sires’ Produce Stakes in New Zealand last season.
“It will be good to see how he measures up on Saturday,” Sargent said.
“I’d expect a good run from him.”
Dollario, Sargent’s only runner so far since opening his Sydney stable, is entered in a support race.