Another shrewd placement from John Sargent sees his stable with a genuine VRC Oaks chance after Harlow Mist won the Kennedy Oaks Preview (1800m) at Flemington and maintaining a perfect race record.
At her third start, and after wins at Goulburn and Scone, the three-year-old ran 0.27 seconds outside of Barb Raider’s class record to win by a half-neck margin from the Chris Waller-trained Konasana ($4.80) with Everlasting Kiss ($17), ridden by Damien Oliver, a further two-lengths away in third.
Noting that this race presented a critical point in her preparation, Sargent is now setting his sights on Melbourne Cup Carnival features including the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) on November 9 with the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) five days before.
“I was a big jump up today,” Sargent said.
“She has been winning in the country but she’s got a decent sized heart in her and she showed that today.
“It was a fork in the road today whether we had a break towards the autumn or carry on with her.
“After that today, we will (press on).”
Noting her staying pedigree, Sargent added that her ability to finish off races strongly was a positive and her progression beyond her opposition in this event is well within scope.
“She’ll keep improving (as) she’s that type of filly”, he added.
“Hopefully we’ll be back here Wakeful/Oaks time and she’ll obviously get the trip.
“She’ll have a short break now and likely to have another run before the Wakeful.”
Ridden by Michael Dee, Harlow Mist ($10) follows Sargent’s victory in this event with So Dazzling in 2022.
“She probably has as much class as So Dazzling but not as much brilliance as Kirramosa,” he said with the latter being Sargent’s 2015 winner of the Oaks.”
Harlow Mist is rated a $15 chance in pre-nominations markets for the VRC Oaks.
“She’ll be a very determined type once she gets out further,” Sargent said.
