Angels Beach is expected to hit the ground running first up at Sandown-Hillside on Wednesday in the Brown Sawdust and Shavings 3YO fillies Ratings 68 Handicap (1000m).
Photo by Racing and Sports
The Peter Moody-trained galloper strikes a strong three-year-old fillies event this afternoon yet looks the one to beat after she turned heads on debut at Pakenham last December.
Angels Beach gapped her rivals by seven lengths on that occasion where she did it with plenty in hand.
Under the guidance of Linda Meech, Angels Beach sat fifth before gradually edging closer to the early leaders on the inside.
It was merely a case of moving off heels upon straightening and wasted little time in disposing of her rivals.
Untested, the filly ran to a provisional Timeform rating of 81 which is a figure that already sits highly amongst this field.
The daughter of Bel Esprit is expected to improve substantially on that rating resuming here.
Angels Beach will have no doubt matured during her latest spell and gave every impression she is capable of at least measuring up in weekend city company this campaign.
The filly has drawn barrier 5 which should allow jockey Luke Nolen to ride her positively up near the speed and be prominent upon straightening.
Bolstering the winning case that can be made for Angels Beach are some favourable stats possessed by trainer Peter Moody in similar races to what the filly contests this afternoon.
Moody has an excellent strike rate of around 20% with horses resuming off spells of 91-180 days.
When looking at the distances Peter Moody starters race over, 24% of those who contest events between 1000m-1099m come away with the cash.
Peter Moody’s first up record with horses contesting metropolitan events is a sound 14% as well.
If Angels Beach can deliver on the promise she showed during her maiden preparation, the daughter of Bel Esprit should continue a quick rise through the grades at Sandown this afternoon.
On the chance she is off her game, a number of rivals do have the ability to capitalise.
Imprimis stands out as the main danger.
A stakes placed filly, Imprimis was only just collared late after trying to make all upon resuming at Moonee Valley over this trip 19 days ago.
The Mick Cerchi-trained runner’s first up outing came after a generous spell following her autumn campaign.
Like the peak figure of Angels Beach, Imprimis ran to a figure of 81 on resuming however master ratings of the Magnus filly show she is capable of improvement second up.
While still a maiden, Imprimis has come close on a number of occasions having placed at half of her eight career starts.
Three of her four career placings have been in metropolitan company including two at stakes level behind the likes of Cambiaso and Fire Thunderbolt.
Imprimis boasts a master rating of 102, 21 pounds superior to what she produced first up.
Running to that figure is highly unlikely however it does highlight the scope for improvement Imprimis has second start back from a spell.
Under the guidance of Dwayne Dunn, Imprimis from an inside barrier should get to the lead with minimal fuss and set the tempo.
If given an easy time up front, the filly is definitely capable of delivering a good kick in the straight on her way to maiden success.
Those following the speedy filly won’t want to let her far out of their sights.
Likely sitting outside of the anticipated leader will be Navorina.
The penny looks to have dropped for the Testa Rossa filly based on the comfortable maiden victory she posted when resuming at Geelong last start.
Navorina bounced straight to the front on that occasion and never looked back as she recorded a 4.8 length success despite being eased down over the final 100m.
The Tony Noonan-trained speedster looks to be another promising type amongst this field.
A reason to temper expectations though can be found when analysing the race she took out at Geelong 18 days ago.
Simply put, it was a very weak maiden.
Her lone run during the spring is arguably a stronger form reference where she finished a narrow third at Mornington behind Red Inca.
Red Inca has since gone on to win at Flemington and wrapped up his latest campaign with a respectable fifth in Group company.
Razeena and City Hall are the other pair capable of forward showings in the event however profile more so as place hopes.
The David Hayes-trained Razeena has kicked off her latest campaign with a pair of seconds, the latest when narrowly defeated over this trip at Moonee Valley.
It was the same race which contained one of her rivals here in Imprimus who she narrowly defeated.
Unlike Imprimis though who ran well below her best, Razeena’s latest outing was just two pounds below her current peak of 81.
81 is the figure which Angels Beach ran to untested last December which suggests Razeena must find a few lengths.
City Hall showed good promise during a three start maiden campaign during the spring which culminated with a minor placing amongst weekend city company.
Her master Timeform figure does only sit at 75 which is likely short of what’s required to be winning here although perhaps the daughter of Elvstroem has come on during the spring.
The Browns Sawdust and Shavings 3YO fillies Ratings 68 Handicap (1000m) shapes as a particularly strong contest at Sandown this afternoon.
Don’t be surprised if form out of the race proves hot with the up and coming Angels Beach leading the way.
