John Sargent felt like crying after Quintessential got the visitor's draw for the Queensland Derby but he's confident Damian Browne can overcome it.
Trainer John Sargent is taking a positive approach and will again rely on jockey Damian Browne's skills to offset a horror barrier for Quintessential in the Group One Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Queensland Oaks winner is aiming to join the ranks of history-makers Riva San (2008), Royal Magic (1992), Bravery (1988) and Analie (1973) as the only fillies to complete the Oaks-Derby double in Queensland since 1973.
Quintessential will be joined in the Queensland Derby by three other fillies - Invest, Poste Restante and Vittoria - who are bidding to become the 10th fillies to claim the Queensland Derby since 1973.
The Michael Kent-trained Vittoria will wear pacifiers after an eye became ulcerated following her third in the Queensland Oaks.
Racing Queensland chief steward Wade Birch said an eye specialist would inspect Vittoria on Thursday to determine the seriousness of the problem.
Meanwhile, Sargent is delighted with how Quintessential has come through her Queensland Oaks victory at Eagle Farm but his hopes of the filly completing the double were dented after she drew barrier 21.
Sargent, who is a runaway leader to claim his first New Zealand trainers' premiership, is also represented in the Queensland Derby by impressive midweek Doomben winner Largo Da Barra in barrier 14 and emergencies Keep Winning (17) and Red Unicorn (one).
Quintessential was considered some risk on a heavy track in the Queensland Oaks but the daughter of Fast 'n' Famous was ridden in a forward position by Browne to score a dominant victory.
Sargent was downcast immediately after Wednesday's barrier draw for Quintessential but an improving track has lifted his spirits.
"I was in a crying mood after seeing the draw," Sargent said.
"We'll have to go for luck with the Oaks filly and I'll leave it up to Damian.
"She's done extremely well since her Oaks win and she's as fit as I can get her."
Sargent believes the track condition is unlikely to have a major bearing on how Quintessential will perform.
"The track has dried out a lot since last weekend and now that we know she can handle the heavy, the track condition won't come into play with her," he said.
Sargent believes Largo Da Barra has solid claims despite only winning at the midweeks last start.
"Jeff Lloyd is riding him and he got off one of Patinack Farm's to ride him," Sargent said.
"He's got to have some chance the way he won at Doomben last week and at least I know he will stay."
Lloyd landed his first feature win since arriving in Queensland last month when he was successful aboard Patinack Farm's Pear Tart in last Saturday's Group Two Queensland Guineas (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
It was his first day back riding at Eagle Farm.
South African Lloyd is now the stable rider for Patinack Farm after quitting a highly-successful position in Hong Kong to continue his career in Queensland.
