John Sargent has been pleased with the form displayed by Swift Lady over her busy racing campaign this year, and is confident the three-year-old is more than capable of a competitive performance in Saturday’s featured Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben.
Swift Lady is reportedly in peak condition ahead of Saturday’s Queensland Oaks. Photo: Steve Hart
Swift Lady has was three of her ten competitive starts and finished a close second on one other occasion; booking a ticket north for the Queensland Oaks when comfortably seeing off a handy field in the Gallipoli BM70 (1600m) on April 25th.
While only managing a mid-pack finish in the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) most recently on May 16th, Sargent told Racing Ahead he is confident the daughter of O’reilly will take valuable condition from the run and believes she’s in the right form to make an impact on the 2015 Queensland Oaks.
“We drew 17 of 18 and we were last on the turn and when Winx went down the outside we came through the field to the inside in the loose going,” Sargent said.
“As long as she was hitting the line, that’s all I needed with her – she’s quite a light filly and the mile was a good lead-up.
“I’m happy and the way she galloped yesterday on the outside of the Doomben course proper, she should be right there.”
Usually contested over the 2400m course at Eagle Farm, Sargent elected to take a lighter lead-in to the 2015 Queensland Oaks with Swift Lady, which will instead be run over 2200m at Doomben this year.
“It’s not a big staying test; I think you have to have them a bit sharper,” he said.
“I saw Chris Waller didn’t race Ballet Suite last week and he’s obviously keeping her a bit sharper because when they take off a long way out at Doomben you need a bit of a sprint, whereas Eagle Farm good stayers come through.
“It’s a different Oaks this year, especially over two-two (2200m).”
Sargent has already experienced notable success in the three-year-old filly ranks this season, having saddled Thunder Lady to third in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and Gust Of Wind to victory in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m).
Ladbrokes is currently offering Swift Lady at 2015 Queensland Oaks odds of $31 for success, while Sargent’s other entrant; second emergency Champion Stage can be taken at a $41 quote.
