John Sargent acknowledges that Powers Of Opal was beaten fair and square by Treasurethe Moment during last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival, but the Randwick-based trainer remains hopeful of getting the better of that rival in the upcoming autumn.
Sargent is eager to have another go at the Matt Laurie-trained filly, who forced Powers Of Opal into second place in both the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m).
Powers Of Opal is approaching her trial stage and is set for a campaign focused on the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 29, followed by the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) at Randwick two weeks later.
“We’ll be on our home track (in the ATC Oaks), we’ve raced up here and we won’t have to travel, so that will all be a big help,” Sargent said.
“Let’s hope she can turn around the seconds into wins and the Victorian filly that beat her comes up.”
Powers Of Opal will have a couple of trials before targeting the three-year-old fillies’ races.
“She had about four weeks out. I couldn’t give her much longer because it’s a quick turnaround after you run down there in the Oaks.
You’re better to have them back here in work in case something goes wrong and you’ve got a bit of residual fitness in them,” Sargent added.
Powers Of Opal is currently a $7 equal favourite with Neds for the ATC Oaks alongside Treasurethe Moment.
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