John Sargent can send a shiver down bookmaker's spines when he heads a filly down to Melbourne. After winning the Kennedy Oaks Preview last year with So Dazzling, the Randwick-based trainer struck again at Flemington on Sunday with the undefeated Contributer (IRE) filly Harlow Mist.
Ridden by Michael Dee, Harlow Mist truck the front inside the 300m before holding the finish of the Chris Waller-trained Duneel filly by a half-neck with Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained Justify (USA) filly Everlasting Kiss two lengths back in third.
Typical of the stable, Harlow Mist has had a low-key build-up, winning a 1400m maiden on a heavy track at Goulburn on debut before a hard-fought win over 1600m at Scone on September 5.
So Dazzling did not make it to the Kennedy Oaks after failing in the Wakeful Stakes but returned the following autumn to finish second to Pennyweka in the Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks.
"It was a big jump up today as she was just winning in the country, but she has a decent-sized heart, which she showed today," Sargent said.
"Today was a fork in the road whether we give her a break and go for the autumn or carry on, which after that we obviously will.
"She is bred to take it and finished off her last two races strongly. We just wanted to see if she was up to this company.
"She is the type of filly that will keep improving, and hopefully, we will be back here for the Wakeful and Oaks.
"She will have a bit of a break and have a run before she comes back down.
"I saw her at the sales in New Zealand. She is from a very good staying family by a very good horse, Contributer (IRE).
"She probably does not have the brilliance of a Kirramosa or Luvaluva, but she is very determined and once she gets out further, she will be even harder to beat. It's onwards and upwards.
An $85,000 buy for Tricolours Racing & Syndications from the Wentwood Grange draft in Book 1 of the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale, Harlow Mist is the sixth foal and third winner from four to race for the 3-time winner and Group III-placed Sila Jasak (Cullen).
A half-sister to Group III winner Stand Tall (Zabeel) and Listed winner Seul Amour, Sila Jasak is the daughter of VRC Oaks, AJC Australian Oaks, VATC CF Orr Stakes, and MVRC Australia Stakes winner Grand Archway (Archway) who also finished second in the SAJC Australasian Oaks, and South Australian Oaks.
The 20-year-old Sila Jasak had a filly foal by Wyndspelle last spring and was not covered.
