Race day wings do for Angel
TRAINER Cameron Thompson prepared his first treble in Devonport on Sunday — including an impressive victory from a filly that could develop into a Tasmanian Oaks contender.
Speed Angel ($13) delivered her best effort so far to take out a maiden-class one over 1650 metres, after which Thompson revealed his long-range plans for the Tough Speed threeyear-old.
The heavily backed favourite Banstead ($1.65) forged to the lead and kicked clear in the home straight but he had no answer to Speed Angel’s powerful finish.
“This filly has always shown us lot of promise and the mission was to get her to win a race early this preparation then tip her out for a short spell and aim her at races such as the Strutt Stakes and Tassie Oaks during the summer carnival,” Thompson said.
“She showed us something at her first and only start last season when fourth to Mystical Pursuit but beaten under two lengths. We discovered she had a bone chip, so we had that removed and she recovered well.
“She is not a flash track worker. She’s one of those horses that saves it all for race day.”
Thompson said the filly would go straight to the paddock and come back around November-December for races upwards of 1600m.
Her jockey, Anthony Darmanin, said she was very strong on the line.
“There was a solid tempo and she loved it because she settled and, when I got her into the race 400 metres out, she finished off really well and I have no doubt she has a bright future, especially over more ground,” Darmanin said.
Trojan Storm ($6.50) was Thompson’s second winner on the eight-event card in a benchmark 64 handicap over 1150m.
The six-year-old former Victorian rattled home along the rails to tip out race favourite, Gee Gee Bay Watch ($2.60), who was forced to race three wide throughout.
Trojan Storm was always travelling like the winner but when Darmanin wanted to go forward he was stuck behind a tiring horse, which forced him to take a path along the rails.
The gelding ran home powerfully to edge out the favourite with Gee Gee Wynett a close-up third.
Thompson’s treble came via a solid win by Red Gucci in a benchmark 58 handicap over 1009 metres.
Red Gucci travelled well throughout and, when rider Craig Newitt called on the sixyear-old mare to extend in the home straight, she put two lengths on his rivals and held on to score by a half-length from Brockton Punch with Pontypaul the same margin away third.
It was Thompson’s first treble but had a bit of luck gone the stable’s way it could have been five. TICKETS to the Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards, to be held in Hobart next month, are for the first time being offered to the general public.
This is the first time Tasmania has hosted the annual awards, which has a guest list that reads like the who’s who of Australian racing.
A team from Chris Waller’s stable will be there along with Tony McEvoy and Godolphin’s head Cummings.
Peter Tighe, managing owner of champion mare Winx has confirmed he will attend with Sky Channel’s Andrew Bensley and Bernadette Cooper to co-compere the event to be held at Mac2 on Hobart’s waterfront on October 10.
Bookings can be made online at www.goracingtasmania.com.au. trainer James