Australian Derby winner Angel Of Truth will stick to a weight for age program in the lead up to the 2019 Group 1 $5.15m Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 19.
Angel Of Truth scored an all the way win in the Group 1 $2m Harrolds Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Day One of The Championships on April 6 and owner Ross Williams said that we won’t see the best of the Gwenda Markwell trained gelding until he gets back up to the 2400m again.
“It is not going to be easy but when he gets to the Caulfield Cup, that’s when you will see the best of him,” Williams told Racenet.
Williams has selected three weight for age races as Angel Of Truth’s path towards the Caulfield Cup and the Group 1 $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 14 will be his 2019 Spring Carnival starting point.
Angel Of Truth will then run in the Group 1 $750,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 29 with his final Caulfield Cup lead up run being in the Group 1 $1m Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 12.
“We are looking at keeping his weight untouched by targeting those weight for age races so he is probably only going to get four runs,” Williams said.
“I was looking at starting him in Sydney in the George Main but with the change of dates it is out of alignment with the Caulfield Cup.
“He is a 2000m plus horse and the lead-up races, we aren’t excited for him to win those. We just want to keep his fitness up and his weight the same for the Caulfield Cup.
“I don’t know what quality is going to be there but they are tough Group Is and some of the best going around in Melbourne.”
Angel Of Truth is marked at $26 at Ladbrokes.com.au in early betting for the Caulfield Cup while the James Cummings trained Avilius is the ruling $11 favourite.
Pre-post betting for the 2019 Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $11 Avilius, $13 Verry Elleegant, $17 Cross Counter, Django Freeman, $19 Mr Quickie, $21 Fifty Stars, Kenedna, Yucatan, $26 Almond Eye, Angel Of Truth, Ghostwatch, Glory Vase, Ispolini, Latrobe, Marmelo, $31 Best Of Days, Chapada, Danceteria, Danzdanzdance, Dubhe, Finche, Flag Of Honour, Homesman, Magic Circle, Neufbisc, Sixties Groove, $34 or better the rest.