Trainer Wendy Roche is looking forward to a clean slate with renowned barrier rogue Here De Angels who is being readied for a first up tilt at the Carrington Stakes.
Roche has only trained the gelding for one campaign and had to jump through a series of hoops before getting him cleared to race.
Here De Angels’ past barrier antics meant he had to repeatedly trial to the satisfaction of stewards before he was allowed to resume.
Now an eight-year-old, the talented sprinter caused former trainers Lee Freedman and Mark Kavanagh their fair share of headaches as well as occupying the time of Victorian stewards.
He finally got the all clear in July but Roche admits all the hard work and uncertainty took their toll.
“At his first preparation I couldn’t really train him because he had to go through all those barrier trials and I never knew if he was going to pass them,” Roche said.
Here De Angels finally resumed in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton and was an encouraging seventh to Jerezana, beaten just 2-1/2 lengths at his first run in 10 months.
He raced twice in Sydney before heading to Melbourne for a controversial clash with Black Caviar in the Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley in October.
The champion’s trainer Peter Moody successfully applied to have Here De Angels moved so there was a empty gate between him and the mare.
Here De Angels finished third of the four runners then was given a break after he jarred up at Sandown on November 12.
He has been back in work for more than two weeks and Roche is rapt with how he is shaping up.
“This time in he looks the best he ever has since I’ve had him,” Roche said.
“He’s a lot more relaxed. He’s dappled and he looks amazing.”
Roche confirmed Here De Angels would resume in the Listed Carrington Stakes (1100m) at Warwick Farm on January 2, en route to the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast 12 days later.
The Carrington will also be the starting point for exciting sprinter Rain Affair.
Here De Angel’s stablemate Tindal, who contested the Villiers Stakes at Warwick Farm on Saturday, is also headed to Queensland for the Listed Goldmarket (1300m) on January 2 and the Magic Millions Cup (1400m).
AAP TURF
