Following careful consideration, Robbie Griffiths and his team have chosen a Stakes event in Adelaide to secure vital ‘Black Type’ status for Almost An Angel.
The two-year-old filly has been withdrawn from the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, opting instead for the Listed Dequetteville Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville this Saturday.
Having won her debut at Caulfield Heath in November, Almost An Angel placed fifth in the Blue Diamond Prelude over 1100m at Caulfield, then competed in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on February 21, where she finished 11th behind Streisand.
She was entered for the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 7, but a wide gate draw and an eye infection prevented her participation.
Griffiths mentioned he was interested in running Almost An Angel straight course at Flemington this Saturday, but acknowledged the Morphettville race suits the filly better in pursuit of ‘Black Type’.
“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 noted advantages and drawbacks for both Saturday races.
“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 will partner Almost An Angel on Saturday.
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