Percy Sykes Stakes the target for Sargent’s promising Lass

Wootton Lass, trained by John Sargent, caused an upset at Randwick’s Kensington track on Wednesday, upstaging $3 million yearling Ernaux and booking herself a shot at black-type success later this autumn.

With plenty of hype surrounding Ernaux’s debut, given her hefty price tag as the second-highest priced filly at the 2023 Australian Easter Yearling Sale—only behind Winx’s $10 million foal—expectations were high. However, after missing the start, she could only manage fourth place.

Despite the result, assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth saw positives in her performance.

“Missing the start made things tough, but she actually quickened up nicely,” Duckworth said.

“It’s only race two on the card, and I’m not sure if the inside was playing a bit slower, but James (McDonald) didn’t have too many options.

“All in all, it was a pretty good debut.”

Ernaux finished 1.75 lengths behind Wootton Lass, who bounced back strongly after an underwhelming first-up effort in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m).

Sargent explained that race-day nerves got the better of the filly on debut, but she was much more composed this time around.

“I thought she was ready first-up for the Sweet Embrace, but the occasion got to her,” Sargent said.

“She got worked up, got galloped on, and just wasn’t herself. But that race really brought her on, and today she was much more relaxed and did exactly what I expected of her first-up.”

The daughter of Wootton Bassett is giving her connections plenty to dream about, especially given the stallion’s strong record in Australia, with Royal Patronage recently winning the Canterbury Stakes and Wodeton finishing second in the Golden Slipper.

Sargent is now setting his sights on the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 12.

“That’s the likely target. If we can grab some black-type for the owner, that would be ideal before she heads for a break,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tulloch Lodge landed the second two-year-old race on the program with Farnicle, a son of Farnan. Co-trainer Adrian Bott believes the colt will only improve with time and distance.

“We’ll see how he comes through the run before making any firm plans,” Bott said.

“He could go to Queensland for a winter carnival race, or he might go to the paddock and come back as a three-year-old.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do when he gets over a bit further and matures.”