Morphettville chosen over Flemington for Almost An Angel
Robbie Griffiths and associates have settled on a Stakes contest in Adelaide to earn crucial 'Black Type' for Almost An Angel after deliberation.
This two-year-old has pulled out of the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington to contest the Listed Dequetteville Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
A victor on debut at Caulfield Heath back in November, Almost An Angel was fifth in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield, followed by 11th in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) to Streisand on February 21.
Next lined up was the Group 2 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 7, yet a poor barrier and eye issue led to her skipping it.
Griffiths indicated a preference for the Flemington straight this Saturday for Almost An Angel but admitted the Morphettville option aligns better with gaining 'Black Type' for the filly.
"We're keen to get 'Black Type' because she's got the talent and deserves to have it," Griffiths said.
"She ran fifth in the (Blue Diamond) Prelude and if she runs fourth, she gets the big black writing next to her name.
"Damian Lane was pretty happy with her that day and said we should have a throw at the stumps in the big one and she drew poorly and got into a bad spot, so it was a forgive run.
"She was in the Sires' but she drew wide and had a bit of an eye infection, so we decided to miss that and switch our attention to one these races.
"We sent her down the beach, she's done some steady work, and here we are."
Griffiths discussed the positives and negatives of each race this Saturday.
"She's never been down the straight, so that was a negative, but the 1200 metres would suit," Griffiths said.
"But in saying that she's won at 1000 (metres) at Caulfield Heath and she was terrific at 1100 (metres) at Caulfield, so you would think 1050 metres on a big track at Morphettville would be good.
"There is the travel over to Adelaide, but Morphettville is the better option, so we'll head over and give it a shot."
Luke Currie has the mount on Almost An Angel come Saturday.
Visit the online bookmakers to find the best betting markets for the Dequetteville Stakes.
More Racing News
Flemington filly Classic Gem targets first career success
Trainer Dom Sutton from Flemington feels Classic Gem has proven her potential in her opening campaign to merit pursuits in further Black Type events, though he is now aiming lower to notch that elusive breakthrough.This Saturday, the three-year-old daughter of Maurice seeks to end her maiden status right at her...
Scone Cup next for Churchill's Choice post Hawkesbury victory
The mare Churchill's Choice boasts a New South Wales provincial feature win already this autumn, and her explosive late surge positions her well for another on Friday at Scone.Nathan Doyle's charge seeks to replicate her Group 3 Hawkesbury Cup triumph with a win in the $200,000 Listed Scone Cup (1600m),...
Fresh Linebacker targets Scone's Luskin Star Stakes
This weekend, trainer Tom Charlton intends to dispatch two standout stablemates to separate states, with Linebacker entered for the Luskin Star Stakes in Scone and emerging quick Napoleonic bound for the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.Linebacker appears in nominations for each contest, yet Charlton leans towards Scone given that the Luskin...
Rough Habit Plate targeted by Accidental Bid before Queensland Derby
Accidental Bid makes his journey to Queensland aiming for entry into the Queensland Derby.Trained by Ciaron Maher, this galloper is slated for the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday, as a stepping stone to the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) scheduled at Eagle Farm on May...
Patient approach pays off for Beadman in Gold Coast Guineas
Opting for a more measured ride on Beadman in the Gold Coast Guineas proved a smart move for his owners and team, positioning them to target the Brisbane winter carnival's premier sprint race.After registering a win in the Fireball Quality (1100m) on his fresh appearance, the three-year-old endured placeless finishes...
Blinkers bring Plymouth back to winners' circle at Caulfield
Co-trainer Ben Hayes from Lindsay Park attributes Plymouth's resurgence to victory at Caulfield to the use of blinkers.The horse under the care of Ben, Will and J D Hayes grabbed his first triumph post the Benalla Cup from last September via success in the Lamaro's After The Last Handicap (2000m)...
Desert Lightning delivers Moody repeat Goodwood success
Peter Moody, now based with Katherine Coleman, has taken out the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) once more, echoing his achievement 14 years prior when Black Caviar dominated in 2012.Both triumphs came with Luke Nolen in the saddle; Black Caviar's win by 1.3 lengths was tighter than usual for the...
Dominant display by Pride Of Jenni echoes past glory at Gold Coast
With a bold frontrunning performance reminiscent of her electrifying 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes effort, Pride Of Jenni has left her Hollindale Stakes competitors trailing to claim another exceptional success.The mare was in peak free-wheeling mode for Saturday's Gold Coast showcase, building an approximate 16-length buffer as the 800m approached and...
Caulfield win puts Highvol back on victory trail
Nick Ryan, the trainer, may eye a Queensland venture for Highvol after the gelding notched a triumphant return at Caulfield.The gelding Highvol hadn't tasted success since his opening two triumphs as a juvenile until he captured the Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap (1600m) on Saturday.Jamie Mott kept Highvol ($16) prominent...
Stokes scores $500,000 The Coast hit-and-run with Athanatos
Kerrin McEvoy needed only a fast look at Athanatos's past performances to realise he was on a livewire for the $500,000 The Coast, a hunch validated when the out-of-state runner displayed unbeatable finishing power.Although new to the four-year-old, McEvoy noted the gelding's close fourth to Transatlantic, beaten under two lengths,...