By Brad Gray
John Sargent has been extremely patient with unraced mare High Tranquility and the Randwick-based trainer looks set to be rewarded at Goulburn on Friday.
The now four-year-old was bred and is part-owned by New Zealand’s Nearco Stud, a long-term client of Sargent headed up by Greg Tomlinson with the partnership enjoying past Group One success together with Queensland Oaks winner Quintessential.
High Tranquility, who has been under the care of Sargent for the best part of two years, has caught the eye in her three forward showings in her trial outings.
“She is a lovely mare but was born in England so has been behind the eight-ball a little age-wise so that’s why I have given her time,” Sargent said.
“I gave her a first preparation and she went shin sore then after that she was back and out again so we’ve just taken our time. She should be able to go right through now though as she is big and strong. She is bred to get a mile and half so whatever she does tomorrow would be a bonus.
“On what we’ve seen you’d think she’d eventually end up in the city for sure.
“She is starting to settle right down. She was always trying do everything too quickly but she is starting to mature mentally. Physically she is strong but mentally she has come right around. The trip away will do her good and she looks exciting off her trials.
“It’s going to be rain affected but High Chaparrals don’t seem to mind it. She has done everything right and I’m very happy with her. She is all ready go.”
It’s no coincidence that High Tranquility finds herself kicking off at Goulburn, with Sargent suggesting that the big track takes bad luck out of the equation.
“I did that with Luvaluva the other day. She kicked off there and enjoyed the lovely big track and that’s why I am going there again. Over 1300m she’ll be able to put herself right there, relax and have a long straight to finish off.”
Luvaluva, who couldn’t have been more impressive on debut, will step out again at Kembla Grange on August 19 in a Class 1 treading a familiar path for Sargent towards the Crown Oaks at Flemington.
“I gave her eight days out after the win and I’ll just tick her over before going down to Kembla,” Sargent said.
“She’ll have another three runs before Melbourne. She’ll have her races spaced about three weeks apart - exactly what I did with Kirramosa and Thunder Lady.
“She has got more speed than Thunder Lady and she is a bigger, stronger horse than Kirramosa so she has got a bit of both which augurs very well for her future.”
Check out the fields, form and replays for Goulburn on Friday