Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.
Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.
Robbie Griffiths, however, set his sights on the Group 2 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) over Flemington's track this Saturday for Almost An Angel right from her first training spell.
She notched a win at 1000m during her debut at Caulfield Heath, yet Griffiths consistently viewed the 1400m of the upcoming race as her optimum trip.
The trainer scheduled Almost An Angel for a third-up appearance in the Saturday event, though circumstances directed her to the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) held at Caulfield February 21.
"She's a So You Think and she surprised us on debut winning over the 1000 metres, as well as being a juvenile with enough speed to be competitive in the sprints," Griffiths said.
"We ran her in the Prelude, and she was super and ran fifth and then in the Diamond, it didn't work, they went too steady up front and sprinted and she couldn't match it.
"Going to the 1400 metres and being by So You Think, you would imagine it should be a nice race for her.
"It has always been a target, it was how we got there, whether it was a soft option going to it. We didn't, we took the biggest option, which just didn't suit, but the distance here will."
James Cummings' La Tene was the latest filly to conquer the Sires' Produce in 2019, following Jameka's success in 2015.
All of Almost An Angel's outings to date have favored speed, according to Griffiths, with many of those quick types destined for the Slipper in Sydney.
"The different race structure, differently run, better journey, it gives her a chance to get into the race without having it over and done in a split second," Griffiths said.
"We always intended to target this race third-up, so I've always felt she has had enough fuel left, but we'll wait and see how she goes on Saturday whether we then go to Sydney."
Visit leading online bookmakers to check the betting markets for the race at Flemington.
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