Randwick trainer John Sargent to produce VRC Oaks favourite Powers Of Opal in Wakeful Stakes

Randwick trainer John Sargent will press his claims in the VRC Oaks when two fillies tackle Saturday’s Group 2 Wakeful Stakes at Flemington.

Impressive NSW maiden winner Powers Of Opal will have her first chance to justify her VRC Oaks favouritism in Saturday’s Group 2 Wakeful Stakes at Flemington.

The John Sargent-trained filly, who races in the late Dato Tan Chin Nam’s black, white and yellow silks, became the VRC Oaks favourite after her dominant Hawkesbury win on October 17.

Sargent said the odds makers have seen the abundant staying potential in the Ocean Park filly.

“They probably know how potentially good she could be,” Sargent said.

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Sargent said Powers Of Opal greatly reminds him of his previous VRC Oaks winner Kirramosa.

Kirramosa won the 2013 Wakeful Stakes five days out from her narrow Oaks win with Nash Rawiller in the saddle.

“She does remind me a lot of Kirramosa of all the fillies that I’ve taken to Melbourne,” Sargent said.

“She’s by Ocean Park and her dam was third in a New Zealand Oaks so she’s got the right pedigree.

“She’s got a good turn of foot for a stayer, which we should see down there.”

Powers Of Opal surged to VRC Oaks favouritism after her dominant maiden win at Hawkesbury last start. Picture: Bradley Photos

Powers Of Opal finished fourth of six at her last crack at Group level in the Flight Stakes at Randwick, but Sargent said punters should ignore that run.

Sargent said the Hawkesbury performance was an indication of the three-year-old’s talent.

“We can forget the Flight Stakes, I don’t know why she led and neither do the owners,” Sargent said.

“We got the true look at her last start, and I think she’s got a bit of quality about her.

“It will be good to see how she goes.”

Stablemate Inevitable Truth could provide Powers Of Opal with tough competition in the Wakeful Stakes.

Powers Of Opal is way too good for them at @hawkesburyrc!@jsargentracing | @mcacajamezpic.twitter.com/nxQQdVXzgv

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 17, 2024

Inevitable Truth, a half-sister to Group 1 winner Global Glamour has performed well in three Melbourne runs, including when fourth in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield.

Sargent said Inevitable Truth could give a start from a wide draw in the Wakeful Stakes but would be strong late in the $300,000 contest.

“She is probably going to go back, go around them and hit the line to get her ready for the Oaks,” Sargent said.

“We’ll just ride her quiet from the draw on Saturday.

“As we saw at Caulfield, she was off the bit at the 1000(m), Joao Moreira said, but she hit the line strong late.”

Champion jockey James McDonald will ride Powers Of Opal while Jye McNeil will be aboard Inevitable Truth.

Originally published as Randwick trainer John Sargent to produce VRC Oaks favourite Powers Of Opal in Wakeful Stakes