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.
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