By Ray Hickson
Trainer John Sargent is no stranger to unearthing a potential Oaks filly, and he may have one for later in the season in the shape of Meridiana, who makes her debut at Kensington today.
A bout of shin soreness late last year meant Sargent had to be patient with the three-year-old, and any ATC Oaks plans went out the window. He says it appears to have paid off.
Trainer John Sargent will unleash Meridiana at Randwick on Thursday.Credit: Getty Images
Meridiana, on the back of an eye-catching trial win, gets her chance to impress Sargent in the Drinkwise Plate (1400m).
“She looks a lovely type of three-year-old,” Sargent said. “She came over from New Zealand and just needed some time. She went shin sore after her first trial, so I thought we’d bring her in a bit later and aim her for Queensland if she goes well on Thursday.
“She’s shown a lot of potential in her trials. She doesn’t do a lot on the track so hopefully she’ll come out on race day and go well.”
James McDonald rode Meridiana in her runaway trial win at Rosehill back on March 6 but as the champion jockey is suspended, the trainer had no hesitation on calling on his apprentice Molly Bourke to take 2kg off the filly’s back.
Bourke is currently one win behind Zac Wadick as they chase the champion apprentice title for 2024/25.
It was partly on McDonald’s recommendation that Sargent decided to kick off at 1400m, saying she’s such a laid-back filly it wouldn’t matter whether the race is 1200m or 1400m. Plus, the race is at Randwick.
“Molly has already trialled her and it’s a good chance for her to have a nice ride,” Sargent said. “From the one [barrier] draw she will just go to sleep somewhere, and we hope to get the breaks.
“I said to James after the trial whether we should go 1200m or 1400m and he said it didn’t matter she is quite relaxed. I think she should run well as long as she gets the breaks.
“There’s no reason she shouldn’t run well, I’ll be there with anticipation she’ll put her right foot forward. She has so far, so there’s no reason she won’t do it race day.”
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
