Youngsters step up to a real distance test in the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes for the first time.
Last month’s running of Victoria’s elite juvenile race, the Blue Diamond Stakes, has passed, with speedy two-year-olds now pointed to the Golden Slipper in Sydney.
Trainer Robbie Griffiths focused on this Saturday’s Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington for Almost An Angel since starting her debut campaign.
Victorious at 1000m on her first outing at Caulfield Heath, the filly’s trainer has regarded the 1400m trip on Saturday as ideal all along.
With plans for a third start in the race, the filly’s schedule instead included the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on February 21 at Caulfield.
“She’s a So You Think and she surprised us on debut winning over the 1000 metres, as well as being a juvenile with enough speed to be competitive in the sprints,” Griffiths said.
“We ran her in the Prelude, and she was super and ran fifth and then in the Diamond, it didn’t work, they went too steady up front and sprinted and she couldn’t match it.
“Going to the 1400 metres and being by So You Think, you would imagine it should be a nice race for her.
“It has always been a target, it was how we got there, whether it was a soft option going to it. We didn’t, we took the biggest option, which just didn’t suit, but the distance here will.”
The previous filly winner was James Cummings’ La Tene in 2019, after Jameka took it out in 2015.
So far, speed has dominated the races Almost An Angel contested, Griffiths explained, as many pacey rivals chase the Sydney Slipper.
“The different race structure, differently run, better journey, it gives her a chance to get into the race without having it over and done in a split second,” Griffiths said.
“We always intended to target this race third-up, so I’ve always felt she has had enough fuel left, but we’ll wait and see how she goes on Saturday whether we then go to Sydney.”
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