3 minute read

There are Group 1 ambitions this spring for lightly raced three-year-old Owen County but trainer John Sargent is keeping first-up expectations on the low side for his return at Kensington on Wednesday.

The gelding won two of his first four starts in his first preparation and was tried in the Group 1 JJ Atkins in June so given his staying potential Sargent concludes he overachieved.

Although both of Owen County's wins are at distance of the Vale Alan Osburg Handicap (1400m), including his debut, the trainer warns, unless a heavy track is posted, he might find it a bit slick this time around.

"It's a start off point to get him to the Spring Champion Stakes and the Derby,'' Sargent said.

"It's over the road and the way he's been trialling he's looking for a mile now. He's a lot more relaxed this time and mentally more mature from that trip to Queensland.

"I wouldn't say he will be in the money but as long as he's strong through the line I'll be happy. I said to the owners I don't think he will be competitive until he gets to a mile."

Owen County's two barrier trials have been far from eye-catching.

Sargent said that doesn't concern him too much at this stage of the preparation and while the set up may not be perfect first-up he regards the gelding, $8 with TAB on Tuesday, as a promising stayer in the making.

"If it is going to be wet they'll probably be getting to the outside, we all know what the Kensington track can be like, and he's drawn three and will be back on the inside,'' he said.

"If they go really hard he might hit the line better than we think.

"I think he is a nice Dundeel with plenty of upside and once he gets over a trip we will see his best."

Sargent is a little more bullish about Pink Ivory's prospects as she tackles the Bowermans Handicap (1550m) first-up since contesting the ATC Oaks.

The mare finished midfield in the Oaks after a solid fifth in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes and Sargent said not to any attention to the fact she hasn't beaten a horse home in her barrier trials leading in.

"She never trials well, I'm not worried about her trials. She did it last time,'' he said.

"She galloped well very on Saturday and if they run hard she will be getting right at them late.

"She's another that will be best at 2000m. She will have a good season, I think she will be a good staying mare. I'd be disappointed if she wasn't hitting the line right down the outside.

"They'll know she's there, she's fit enough to be right there."

The Randwick trainer starts the day with Russbuss in the TAB Handicap (1150m) and he said the mare's first-up effort was a tidy one on a heavy track on the back of just one trial.

"I just put that down as a trial and she ran a very good race,'' he said.

"I think she'll be a lot better than her price, she's come on with it and will run a big race."