Angeline
Race Images Palmerston North
Angeline will front up for the sternest test of her fledgling career in the best possible order.
The well-related Cape Blanco filly will step out in the Gr.2 Stella Artois Royal Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day as well as trainer Shaune Ritchie can have her.
"She's been doing terrifically well and the scales are telling us that she's in the best condition that we've had her," the Cambridge horseman said.
"This has been the race she has been set for and being out of a Wellington Cup winner (Megapins) we're sure she will stay.
"Unfortunately, she has drawn the outside so we'll probably have to ride her a little colder."
Angeline broke her maiden at her third start at Te Awamutu in November and at her last appearance she finished fourth behind Volpe Veloce in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes.
Ritchie will also have genuine winning chances at Ellerslie with Snow Secret (Gr.3 Laser Plumbing Te Puke City of Auckland Cup), Street Smart (Dunstan Feeds Stayers' Championship Final) and La Casona (Mainstream Plumbing & Gasfitting 1400).
"Snow Secret is probably looking for two miles so the Wellington Cup will be her race," Ritchie said.
"She has drawn well, but she's a mare that can't take advantage of it. When we've ridden her handy she hasn't finished off her races."
Stablemate Street Smart beat race rivals Symphonic and Pure Lorde on the course two starts back before he got back in a leader-dominated affair at Te Rapa and finished off late.
"He'll have to go back again from the draw, but the rail being in helps and he's better at Ellerslie than he is left-handed," Ritchie said.
"La Casona is in a hot special conditions race and she's got the good draw so she's an each way chance." – NZ Racing Desk.
The well-related Cape Blanco filly will step out in the Gr.2 Stella Artois Royal Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day as well as trainer Shaune Ritchie can have her.
"She's been doing terrifically well and the scales are telling us that she's in the best condition that we've had her," the Cambridge horseman said.
"This has been the race she has been set for and being out of a Wellington Cup winner (Megapins) we're sure she will stay.
"Unfortunately, she has drawn the outside so we'll probably have to ride her a little colder."
Angeline broke her maiden at her third start at Te Awamutu in November and at her last appearance she finished fourth behind Volpe Veloce in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes.
Ritchie will also have genuine winning chances at Ellerslie with Snow Secret (Gr.3 Laser Plumbing Te Puke City of Auckland Cup), Street Smart (Dunstan Feeds Stayers' Championship Final) and La Casona (Mainstream Plumbing & Gasfitting 1400).
"Snow Secret is probably looking for two miles so the Wellington Cup will be her race," Ritchie said.
"She has drawn well, but she's a mare that can't take advantage of it. When we've ridden her handy she hasn't finished off her races."
Stablemate Street Smart beat race rivals Symphonic and Pure Lorde on the course two starts back before he got back in a leader-dominated affair at Te Rapa and finished off late.
"He'll have to go back again from the draw, but the rail being in helps and he's better at Ellerslie than he is left-handed," Ritchie said.
"La Casona is in a hot special conditions race and she's got the good draw so she's an each way chance." – NZ Racing Desk.
