Newcastle preview: Trainer John Sargent launches a two-pronged attack on Provincial-Midway Qualifier with a classy pair

Luck wasn’t on the side of trainer John Sargent in the opening Provincial-Midway Qualifier but hopes change as he attacks the Newcastle heat with a pair of rising stars.

Harlow Mist is ready to bounce back in the Provincial-Midway Championship Qualifier at Newcastle. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer John Sargent was left wondering what might have been when Harlow Mist had no luck in the first qualifier for the Provincial-Midway Championship and his hoping for better luck with his two-pronged attack in this week’s Newcastle heat.

Harlow Mist started one of the favourites in the Hawkesbury race on February 20 and racing just a shade worse than midfield in the running line, was locked up tighter than Fort Knox to the line in finishing a hard held ninth behind Rapt.

The big Newcastle track with its long straight will suit the four-year-old and she is more than capable of bouncing back.

“She didn’t have a race that day at Hawkesbury. She just never got any clear room at all in the straight,” said Sargent.

A perfect @nashhot ride sees Harlow Mist claim Race 2 at @newcastleraces_ for @jsargentracing! pic.twitter.com/BMQKhZAJSY

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 16, 2024

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

“Forget about that run, her form before that was good.

“She was a Midway winner last November and was just beaten in a Midway at Randwick two runs back.

“She has done well and will be a big danger if she gets a trouble free run.

“She will be in good form for this race. She has drawn barrier nine and can posy up a bit closer.”

Harlow Mist opened at $11 with TAB Fixed Odds for this week’s Qualifier, a price Sargent feels is great value considering she was a $7 chance at Hawkesbury.

“I think she is over the odds. She has real quality about her and she is stakes placed (third in the Wakeful),” he said.

“We have kept her fresh for this race and she will hit the hard.”

Joining Harlow Mist in this race is the very progressive three-year-old French Ruler.

The gelding was doing his best work late when a closing fourth behind Step Aside first-up in a Benchmark 78 at Rosehill on February 22.

He then went to the nation’s capital on Black Opal Day for the Listed Canberra Guineas where he tracked the leaders one of the fence when a long neck second behind talented filly Snow In May.

“We probably rode him a bit too handy that day. We had to make use of the draw (barrier 4) but he overraced a bit early and it cost him really finishing the race off,” Sargent said.

“He’s a good quality gelding and he is continuing to improve.

Snitzanova does it tough to win the G3 Spring Stakes for @cmaherracing under the urgings of @DylanBrowneMcM. pic.twitter.com/7BKKKOdA9f

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 16, 2024

“He’s only had a few starts but has already shown his he is competitive in Midway company and also in stakes grade.”

The son of Nicconi has drawn alongside his stablemate in barrier 10, a draw Sargent believes suits him much better.

“I think this is a good draw for him because he will just sit back and come at them late,” he said.

“That’s how we rode him when he got beaten a head in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle in November.

“He should be spot on for Thursday and hopefully we can go straight to the $1 million final.

“He galloped on Monday and wouldn’t have blown a candle out.

“If he could happen to win his qualifier this week, I think he would be near favourite to win the final.”

French Ruler opened a $6 third favourite with TAB Fixed Odds for this race behind Matcha Latte ($4.60 into $2.90) and Wooloowin ($4.60 into $4.40).

The Sara Ryan-trained Matcha Latte was first-up from a spell when beaten a head into third placing by Welcometobarbados and Lord Of Biscay in the Qualifier here on March 1.

He will take good improvement from the run.

He had just one start last spring after an 18 month lay-off when a half-length second to Here To Shock in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

County Kilkenny scored a third-up win over 1600m nearly 12 months ago and trainer Tim Donnelly his hoping history repeats for the Irish import in the Albury Mile.

The gelding has pleased Donnelly in his two runs this preparation despite finishing down the order and is looking forward to getting him out to a more suitable trip.

County Kilkenny was just over three lengths behind Keikoku over 1200m first-up on his home track at Wagga before an eighth to Canny Hell in the SDRA Country Championship Qualifier over 1400m at the same course on March 1.

“I thought it was a good run in the Qualifier. The 1400m is short of his best distance,” said Donnelly.

“He needed to get out and going a bit earlier but because he had barrier one, he couldn’t get out.

“Even his first-up run was good when he was on the inside at Wagga and all the winners were coming wide.

County Kilkenny holds on for the win at Randwick!@MollyBourke7@tpd_racingpic.twitter.com/DftJe4dPp7

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 14, 2024

“If you look at it on paper, you might think his form is a bit average but they have actually been good runs.”

With a few rivals also entered for the Cup Day meeting the following day, this field could be whittled down which will only help his chances.

“Some scratchings will bring him into it even more and if we happen to get the rain that’s forecast, then that will give him an even better chance,” Donnelly said.

Lightly-raced five-year-old Taumata is building towards another win after two handy placings at both runs back from a spell.

He looks a good chance in a solid Class 1 And Maiden Plate (2000m).

“He ran in a Benchmark 74 last start and is coming back to Class 1 And Maiden which you would think would be a weaker race but it’s actually not a bad race,” he said.

“The horse from New Zealand now with Tony and Calvin McEvoy won over 2100m two starts back before running in a Group race.

“It’s well placed but my bloke is building well towards another win.”

Smart Colour ran an improved race for fifth at Wagga last start and can run a cheeky race in the Super Maiden (1400m).

“She was actually unlucky not to run a place,” he said.

“She is looking for a wet track and if she gets that this week, although she has drawn wide, it wouldn’t be out of the possibilities she would run well.”