Anticipation was high for Angels Fury’s debut run at Caulfield earlier this year.
The filly, trained by Ciaron Maher and sent out as the heavily backed $1.70 favourite for the Blue Diamond Preview in January, finished last despite favourable jump-out results.
Fast forward to last month, and Angels Fury made a winning return in a Saturday country two-year-old maiden, taking out the race as the easing $1.95 top elect.
Now, Angels Fury is slated to return to Caulfield to compete in the Sportsbet Race Reviews Handicap (1100m) on Saturday, hoping to restore her reputation.
Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, confirmed the stable’s consistent high regard for Angels Fury, expressing belief in her potential to reach a high level.
“She’s always been impressive since day one,” Turnbull stated.
“To run on debut and run the way she did was very deflating, but at the end of the day we knew we had a young horse that pulled up with a few issues and we were able to reset and come back.”
“All through her training this prep, she has been A-one. It’s been there to see in her jump-outs and that translated into her Bendigo run.”
Such was the Maher team’s confidence in Angels Fury’s ability, they purchased her half-brother, by Spirit Of Boom, at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale before the two-year-old even raced.
“You want to back your judgement of what you see at home and to see it race day, even in a maiden, it’s very satisfying,” Turnbull commented.
“Hopefully we can continue because she has a lot of upside.”
Turnbull indicated that the filly’s performance on Saturday would significantly influence her future racing program.
The stable is adopting a measured approach, planning “a month, month, month,” assuming all progresses smoothly.
“If she was to win on Saturday, being a city class race, you would have to consider going up in class, a Stakes race, but we’re one race at a time,” Turnbull advised.
“She’ll get there eventually, whether it’s this spring or the autumn.”
In-form apprentice Jabez Johnstone will take 3kg off the filly, bringing her weight down to 54.5kg.
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