Arguably registering career-best form over an impressive 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, trainer Robbie Griffiths has revealed classy mare Angelic Light has returned to work ahead of an autumn campaign geared towards the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in March.
Angelic Light has returned to work ahead of a 2014 autumn racing campaign. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Finishing outside the places just once in five starts over the 2013 Autumn, Angelic Light charged home to finish a close second to Platelet in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Classic (1200m) at Morphettville on April 27th before suffering an unfortunate training accident which kept her away from competition for more than a year.
Placing third in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first-up on August 23rd, Angelic Light claimed without doubt her most impressive victory to date at the Valley on September 6th when pipping the world’s leading sprinter Lankan Rupee on the line in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m).
Progressing to fourth in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) and an agonizingly-close second place finish in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on October 24th before ending her season fifth on a firm Ascot track in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on November 22nd, Griffiths revealed he will use Angelic Light’s love of the Moonee Valley surface to shape her 2015 autumn campaign.
“Since the injury her four runs have been at Moonee Valley as it just happened the races were there and she likes the Valley,” Griffiths told AAP.
“We’ve gone to Perth with that good form and what we didn’t take into consideration was the Perth track conditions.
“Not that it was badly prepared. She looked the winner and just lost her action.
“We are confident in thinking that she just didn’t handle the harder surface.”
Confirming a trip to Adelaide for both the Robert Sangster Classic and Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) is also likely to figure for the Holy Roman Emperor mare, Griffiths said conditions and form of nominees may also dictate a trip to Sydney for the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) on Day 1 of The Championships.
“The three key races we want to look at are the William Reid, the Sangster and the Goodwood,” Griffiths said.
“Sydney is worth so much money so we have to have a look at it as well.
“We’ll certainly be nominating for that and just see how her form is and we have to remember last year the TJ Smith was run on rain affected ground.
“If we can snag one we would be happy.”
Claiming five race wins and six minor places from her 16 starts to date, Angelic Light’s first point of call during the 2015 Autumn Carnival is yet to be determined.
