Trainer Robbie Griffiths has confirmed that talented mare Angelic Light is enjoying a stint in the spelling paddock following the conclusion of her 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
The 2015 William Reid Stakes is a likely autumn target for Angelic Light. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Angelic Light missed a year of racing due to a tendon injury after she ran second behind Platelet in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Classic (1200m) in 2013, but returned to racing with an unlucky third in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on August 23 before she upset Lankan Rupee in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at the same venue on September 6.
The Holy Roman Emperor mare was far from disgraced when fourth in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) on September 26 and was only narrowly denied a maiden Group 1 victory when second behind Lankan Rupee in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 24, but could finish no better than fifth when favourite in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on November 22.
Griffiths told Racing Ahead this morning that Angelic Light have come through the tough trip to Perth in good health and will spend up to a month in the spelling paddock before she returns to his Cranbourne-based stable to being preparations for an autumn campaign.
“She has come through the run really well,” Griffiths said.
“She bounced off the float when she returned from Tullamarine and she headed straight down to the paddock and was quiet bright and well.”
Angelic Light did not run up to her best in the Winterbottom Stakes and Griffiths believes that the firm Ascot surface was to blame for the disappointing effort of his star galloper.
Griffiths said that Angelic Light had clearly relished the softer StrathAyr surface at Moonee Valley during her first racing preparation back from serious injury, but he was quick to add that he still thoroughly enjoyed having a runner at Perth on Super Saturday.
“Unfortunately for her, we didn’t realise at the time, but she probably needed the sting of the track.
“Since coming back from her tendon issue all four runs prior to Perth this preparation were all on the StrathAyr and it was evident that she needed that type of cushion in the track because she loomed up and looked like a winning chance, but she didn’t put her head out like she has done at home.
“It was unfortunate, but Perth Racing were fantastic, they were very welcoming and they all made us feel very good and we enjoyed the experience of running in Perth.”
The Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 27 next year is set to be the major autumn target for Angelic Light, while a trip to Adelaide for the Group 1 Robert Sangster Classic (1200m) and The Darley Goodwood (1200m) is also on the agenda for the talented mare.
