A tough win on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington has continued the upward trajectory of lightly raced Kiwi-bred gelding Angland.
Saturday's A$150,000 Ronald McDonald House Charities Mile (1600m) was the fourth win from only a seven-start career for Angland, who has now earned A$189,325 for an ownership group headed by syndicators Ace Bloodstock.
A competitive Benchmark 84 handicap at Flemington was a much more testing assignment for Angland than his last-start success at Murray Bridge, but he had no trouble taking that next step.
Rider Michael Dee had the four-year-old perfectly placed just behind the leader, but that rival soon gave way and left Angland in front a long way from the finish. The favourite showed that he was up to that task, kicking hard all the way down the daunting Flemington straight and maintaining a margin of one length.
"He was tough," Dee said. "What I didn't want to happen was to hit the front too soon, and that's what happened. The leader was going quick and gave us a nice tow into the race, and I was able to get to him doing absolutely no work and strongly on the bridle. Unfortunately that horse didn't take us as far as I would have liked, but it was a good effort from this horse.
"The blinkers definitely helped, but I still feel like there's a bit left in the tank. He definitely had a good look around once we hit the front.
"He's certainly on the way up. He's still learning and putting it all together."
Angland is trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. The latter has a number of friends among the ownership group and felt additional pressure ahead of Saturday's race.
"They're all my mates," he said. "The group chat's been very intense this week, so I'm just delighted for the horse and everyone involved – Ace Bloodstock. It worked out beautifully.
"Mick said it pre-race, we thought the second favourite would go off strong in front. They rolled along. It wasn't a slow gallop. He was getting tired late, but he was strong enough.
"We thought he was coming here in beautiful order. Full credit to Darcy Mangan, who heads Ace Bloodstock, he identified this race and thought it might be an opportunity, and he was spot on.
"He's got a good record, this horse. He's four from seven. He can work with any horse at home and work well beside them, but it's been his mental application and we really thought the blinkers first time last start made a big difference, and again today."
Angland was bred by Graeme Northcott and is by Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High. He is the first foal out of the Makfi mare Markova.
Angland began his career in the Te Awamutu stable of Simon and Katrina Alexander, placing in a trial at Waipa last November before being sold privately in a deal brokered by Phill Cataldo.
