Trainer John Sargent has revealed that he will pay the late entry free to get talented filly Miss Mossman in the 2014 Australian Oaks field, if she performs well in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5.
John Sargent has a high opinion of Miss Mossman and believes that she is a winning chance in the 2014 Australian Oaks. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Miss Mossman struggled at the start of her racing career in sprint races, but quickly made an impact when given a chance over longer ground; finishing fifth in the Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa in February and second in the Group 2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings on March 1.
Sargent paid the late entry fee to get Miss Mossman into the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and was justified the decision by storming away from the rest of the field in the final stages of the race to score an impressive three and a half lengths win.
“Entries close so early and it wasn’t until we got her up to a mile and 2000 metres that we realised that is her forte,” Sargent told Sky Racing HQ this morning.
“We paid the late entry of $6000 to get her there and win the race and we will have to do the same if we win the Vinery.”
Sargent has been delighted with the progress that Miss Mossman has made when given the opportunity over staying distances, but admits that she faces a tough assignment when stepping back to 2000 metres in the Vinery Stud Stakes next weekend.
The leading New Zealand trainer hopes that the three-year-old will be hitting the line strongly in the final stages of the race and believes that she will be at her peak for the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 19.
“Since we have been going over ground she has been hitting the line very strongly and I am looking forward to the Oaks in three weeks’ time,” Sargent said.
“Hopefully we will run on the speed in the Vinery.
“We are going back 400 metres so she will be vulnerable in that, but two weeks later by Oaks time, over 2400 metres, that is when we will have her best chance.”
Sargent is chasing his first win in the Australia Oaks after previously missing the placings with Vedodara in 1995 and Filament in 1993.
