Image: Bruno Cannatelli
Ciaron Maher will unveil a few debutants with the expectation that they will be true Blue Diamond players.
The Blue Diamond Stakes picture will take its first step towards becoming clearer with the Blue Diamond Previews at Caulfield on Saturday.
In the Group 3 division for fillies over 1000m, Ciaron Maher will unveil Angels Fury, who has impressed the stable and spectators at recent barrier trials, especially with a convincing winning performance just before Christmas.
“She did it in a controlled manner,” said Maher’s national assistant coach Jack Turnbull. “She’s very professional about it and seems very natural. Luckily she came through those trials well and had a pretty clean gallop on Monday morning, so all systems are working.”
Angels Fury, the $3.30 favorite for Saturday’s event, is on the third betting line for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at $7 for the race at Caulfield on February 21.
While the novelty of race day situations is always a factor for youngsters, Turnbull said the filly had been trained at the Cranbourne and Ballarat training centres.
“She’s had a chance to see different numbers,” Turnbull said.
“Luckily she’s very mature about it and with everything we’ve done with her, she seems like a ‘push button’.
“She had a particularly solid test that day and we think this is the kind of pressure she can handle.”
By Harry Angel, Angels Fury is the first foal to be produced by the mare Ashra Jahre, who raced 13 times for three wins, the highest being a Class 2 victory at Tamworth in 2021.
In the stallion and gelding division, Maher will also saddle Milsons Point – a debut winner at Pakenham on December 13 – as well as debutant Invicto, who bought for $600,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“Milsons Point can do no wrong,” Turnbull said.
“He was very good that day at Pakenham, while Invicto is a well-bred colt who is constantly improving.
“He has made an extra leap to stay fit and to give him some more strength.
“He is a very attractive and imposing animal and we expect them both to be competitive.”
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