Racing: Sargent pleased with Passchendaele

Passchendaele has returned from a spell in top order. Photo / Greg Bowker

Passchendaele is the name you need to write down.

The classy staying mare is on track for the later long distance assignments, but could be worth keeping in mind for whatever she races in.

The first will be the $20,000 restricted open 1600m at Pukekohe on January 22, followed by the $200,000 Darci Brahma International Stakes at Te Rapa on February 12.

If there is a vulnerability it could be in the first of those, the 1600m because stayers sprint well when fresh, but often don't back up with a similar effort next time at distances short of their best.

Passchendaele should have won over 1400m when resuming at Tauranga on January 2.

The inside gap simply didn't eventuate.

"Mark [De Plessis] went in inside instead of out and the gap closed at the 250m, but that's racing," said trainer John Sargent.

Passchendaele was stopped in her tracks and got going again late to finish her race off strongly.

"She's done really well," the Matamata horseman said yesterday.

Passchendaele is a classy stayer worth sticking with.

Sargent is waiting to see what weight Red Ruler receives for the January 29, $200,000 Century City Developments Wellington Cup when weights are declared on January 14, before deciding his immediate future.

"The weight [58kg] got the better of him when he had to go around them on the home bend in the City Of Auckland Cup," said Sargent.

He is hoping to get Dollario into the $1 million Karaka Million via the juvenile race at Woodville on Saturday.

The Matamata trainer already has Super Easy safely in the million-dollar dash for cash after her second to Anabandana at Ellerslie on New Year's Day, and Dollario sits just outside the comfort zone in 15th spot with three or four horses within $1000 of his earnings.

Any stakemoney he earns on Saturday could prove critical to making the final line-up.

Vincent Mangano and Bella Renza head the 1400m handicap at Tauranga on Saturday.

Also engaged is stayer Heza Karma Karzi, having his first start for trainer Leo Molloy.