So Dazzling to bounce back in Oaks

[Wandering Eyes]

Trainer John Sargent is expecting So Dazzling (NZ) (So You Think) to turn around her form when she returns to Brisbane for the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m).

So Dazzling produced a less than flattering performance when finishing in the second half of the field in the Gr.3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 13.

That effort followed a one-and-three-quarter length second in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 8 having at the start before beating only three horses home in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 25.

“She just had an off day,” Sargent said of So Dazzling’s most recent run.

“She did that in the Vinery before the Oaks when she finished second.

“I’ve just put it down to that, I hope.”

So Dazzling returned to Sargent’s Randwick stable following the Rough Habit.

Sargent said getting on the bigger track for the 2200m of the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks on Saturday will be more to So Dazzling’s liking.

“She seems well,” Sargent said.

“I gave her a week off and she’s been ploughing through the work again.

“I think the bigger track will suit and a stronger tempo, but I’m happy with her.

“I know she’ll go the trip.”

The Queensland Oaks has brought together a capacity field of 18 with five emergencies acceptors.

So Dazzling has drawn barrier 11 in Saturday’s field and will again be ridden by Craig Williams who was aboard when the filly ran in the Rough Habit Plate.

Fireburn (Rebel Dane) heads the market at $3.50 over Renaissance Woman (Reliable Man) ($5) and Affaire A Suivre (NZ) (Astern) ($6) while So Dazzling is a $16 chance.

“It’s quite strong the field, especially the top three or four and then it drops away,” Sargent said.

“I’d expect they’ll all be the ones to beat, and hopefully we run a better race.

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