Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) favourite Angelic Light enjoyed an easy flight to Perth and has settled in ahead of Saturday’s $500,000 race at Ascot Racecourse, according to Robbie Griffiths.
Angelic Light had no issues on her flight to Perth and has settled in at the local stables, happy with her surrounds. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The five-year-old mare flew from Melbourne to Perth on Friday and her trainer couldn’t be happier with how she handled the flight. She then settled into local trainer Simon Miller’s stables quickly and is happy in her surrounds.
“She only lost five kilos on the flight over and Simon Miller is looking after her and he’s delighted with her,” Griffiths told Racing Victoria.
“If she continues to give us the positive vibes that we’re getting then there’s no reason she won’t hold her form.
“She had a nice hit-out on Thursday morning before she flew over on Friday and was pleasing in that gallop and I think it’s just a matter of keeping her ticking over.”
Angelic Light enjoyed a successful spring campaign, finishing third in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up before causing a surprise win over favourite Lankan Rupee in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m). The mare missed out on a placing in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) on September 26 by just over half a length before finishing just a nose off Lankan Rupee in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m).
The mare was badly checked not long after the start but worked her way through the field. She was close on the point of the bend and flashed through to just miss out on the win. Her connections lodged a protest after being inconvenienced but it was dismissed by stewards.
Due to this strong season, she opened the Winterbottom Stakes betting market as $3.50 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au. The mare will be partnered by hoop Damien Oliver, who rode her in the 2014 Manikato Stakes.
The barriers for the 2014 Winterbottom Stakes are due to be drawn on Tuesday, and Griffiths is hopeful of an inside gate for his sprint star.
“She can use a good barrier so we always prefer to draw a good gate with her,” he said.
“She was probably always going to start under the odds because Damien is riding her and every time he goes back to Perth he has a big following
“She’s got the right form. The form around her has held up through all the top level sprints in Australia and if she can hold that form then she warrants her position in the market as favourite.”
Betting markets for the 2014 Winterbottom Stakes will reopen at Ladbrokes.com.au shortly so make sure your online is open and ready to bet with.
