Stretan Angel shows early speed to win Danehill Stakes at Flemington
Stretan Angel made her own luck to win the Danehill Stakes at Flemington which came as a surprise to her trainer and jockey.
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Adaptability proved crucial as Stretan Angel booked her place in next month’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes with a determined win the Group 2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington.
The filly usually races well off the pace but the combination of a good beginning and a moderate early tempo left her racing close to the lead under jockey Damian Lane.
“I was hoping that I could get her to begin better than she had been but certainly by no stretch was planning to be sitting second in the run but the opportunity was there and the pace was steady,” Lane said.
Stretan Angel’s early positioning pleasantly surprised trainer Phillip Stokes, who noted the three-year-old was able to make her own luck near the lead instead of her usual battle to make ground.
Stretan Angel is an impressive filly! 👼
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 7, 2023
She beats the boys to win the Danehill. @pstokesracing@LaneDamianpic.twitter.com/bLuHlESbCb
“That was a surprise. She is always out the back and you’re constantly hoping for luck,” Stokes said.
The different tactics left the question of whether Stretan Angel had enough left to finish off the $300,000 event.
Wayward Sydney colt Libertad briefly unsettled Stretan Angel but the daughter of Harry Angel emphatically answered the query, overpowering smart colt I Am Unstoppable late to get home by a neck.
“Just halfway down the straight when Libertad tried to do a right-hand turn put me off a little bit,” Lane said.
“I had to try and join in a touch earlier than I would have liked but she was strong through the line.”
Stretan Angel became the first filly since Catchy in 2017 to win the Danehill Stakes while Snitzerland (2012) and the great Black Caviar (2009) also beat the colts in the feature sprint.
TAB promoted Stretan Angel to $8 in its Coolmore Stakes market while Sydney colt King’s Gambit is the $4.50 favourite after his win in the Roman Consul Stakes in Sydney.
Bodyguard gets the cash
Bodyguard, a $1.6m purchase, won handsomely on debut at Flemington in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m).
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt burst clear at the 200m under jockey Craig Williams to quickly put paid to gallant runner-up Cerons, prepared by Scone horseman Brett Cavanough
Cerons, a $50,000 colt, did his own residual value no harm either, albeit in a different realm to the winner, with a Listed placing on debut.
Bodyguard could be aimed at the $2m Magic Millions Classic at Gold Coast in January.
Williams appreciated the colt’s attitude and racing manners.
“You pay what you pay, really, but with this horse his attitude is unbelievable. Very professional which is what Peter said the first time he stepped into his yard and got broken in,” Williams said.
“Loved his attitude, loved his ability and he’s got so much of a future.”
Originally published as Stretan Angel shows early speed to win Danehill Stakes at Flemington
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