Deliberation by Robbie Griffiths and partners led to selecting a Stakes race in Adelaide aimed at gaining essential ‘Black Type’ with Almost An Angel.
Scratched from Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, the two-year-old now targets the Listed Dequetteville Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville Saturday.
November’s debut success at Caulfield Heath preceded a fifth in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield, then 11th to Streisand in Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) February 21.
A wide barrier and eye infection sidelined her from the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 7.
Griffiths expressed interest in Flemington’s straight for Almost An Angel Saturday but conceded Morphettville offers a stronger chance at ‘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.”
Saturday’s races each present pros and cons, per Griffiths.
“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.”
Almost An Angel gets the services of Luke Currie on Saturday.
Head to betting sites for competitive odds in the Dequetteville Stakes.