Racing: Winner's cheque saves the day for John Sargent

By MIKE DILLON

This was the most important race of trainer John Sargent's life.

Trainers agonise for their owners on the eve of major races and before Saturday's $500,000 Mercedes Super Bonus Classique, Sargent was thinking deeply about Successor's owner - himself.

Sargent, 45, has had a battle filling his stable since he returned from Singapore 18 months ago. So much so that he's had to bolster it with horses he has bought hoping to find owners for and ended up racing himself.

That is a huge financial drain for any trainer, but especially for one trying to re-establish after years overseas.

"It's hard finding owners at the moment and hopefully this will help," said Sargent after Successor and visiting Melbourne rider Rhys McLeod raced clear in driving rain in New Zealand's richest juvenile event.

"Filling a 40-horse barn at Matamata is not easy - we have got 25 at the moment and this win should be a good kick along."

Successor, by Bahhare from Betty Doolan, cost Sargent $20,000 at last year's Select Sale at Karaka, but he could find no takers for investment in the horse when he got him home.

Things did not go well for Sargent and his training partner Karl Allpress going into the feature - Successor had been badly feeling his legs through shin soreness, a sale to Hong Kong fell through last Tuesday and regular rider Grant Cooksley was under suspension.

Then it poured rain on the day and Sargent admits he had no idea how his youngster would manage the conditions.

"To get over the shin soreness we put a saddle on only three times in the two weeks leading up to the race. We have been swimming him and he's galloped only twice in that time. He does a lot of swimming and walking.

"What helped him is that once 2-year-olds get fit, they don't need a lot."

Sargent could not praise Rhys McLeod enough.

Midweek he called McLeod in Melbourne and flew him over on Friday night, just for the one ride.

"Wasn't that the best $1000 I've ever spent?" said Sargent.

McLeod was meant to be riding in the United States, but has struck a working visa problem, which will delay that venture.

"Rhys is so professional. At dawn he was walking the Te Rapa track, returned and watched every one of Successor's race videos and produced a game plan for the wet track."

The essence of that plan was to ensure he was close to the pace and in front of his main rivals on the home bend.

It worked a treat.

Successor sneaked a slight break on the bend and in conditions unfavourable to any runner lifting its game and sprinting, he dashed away to win by four and a quarter lengths from Iflooxcouldkill, with a nose to the favourite Kapsdan.

What could have been a desperate situation being left with a handful of horses to pay for himself, turned into a cheque for $263,700 with Sargent's name on it.

Hatepe, a Dansinga Sargent was left with last year, is another recent winner.

Successor's victory encouraged Sargent to go looking again at yesterday's opening session of New Zealand Bloodstock's Festival Sale at Karaka.

"I always buy a few to spec and the fact that I wasn't able to syndicate this horse doesn't mean I would have stopped trying that.

"I'll be going to the Adelaide sale late this month, which I do almost every year.

"I've got some good friends in Adelaide and going to Barossa Valley is always nice."

Sargent invited McLeod to Saturday night's celebration dinner.

"He said he was wasting for his rides in Melbourne today and that he would have a quiet night. He's just so professional."

Sargent said he would still look at the sale of Successor to Hong Kong if the owners came back.

"They felt he was a shade too small - but he's 15.3. I know they like good big horses over there.

"I've turned him out now and I'll give him seven to 10 days in the paddock and see how he is.

"If I'm not happy with him after that time I'll leave him out. I'm not in any hurry with him."

Sargent was hoarse at yesterday's sale.

"I feel okay - it must be from cheering the horse home yesterday."

$500,000 Classique

* Successor ploughed through the Te Rapa slush to win easily.

* Everything had gone wrong with the gelding leading into the race.

* His sale to Hong Kong had fallen through.

* John Sargent had to battle shin soreness with him.