The Blue Diamond Stakes picture will take a first step in 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 onlookers at recent barrier trials, particularly with a convincing winning display just before Christmas.
“She did it in a way that was controlled,” Maher’s national assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said. “She’s very professional about it and seems to be very natural. Thankfully she has come through those trials nicely and had a pretty clean gallop on Monday morning so all systems go.”
The $3.30 favourite for Saturday’s event, Angels Fury is on the third line of betting for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at $7 for the race at Caulfield on February 21.
While the newness of race day situations is always a factor for juveniles, Turnbull said the filly had been educated across both the Cranbourne and Ballarat training centres.
“She has had the chance to see different tracks,” Turnbull said.
“Thankfully she is very mature about it all and with everything we have done with her, she seems to be ‘push button’.
“She had a particularly solid trial that day and we think that is the sort of pressure she could handle.”
By Harry Angel, Angels Fury is the first foal to race from the mare Ashra Jahre, who raced 13 times for three wins, the highest level being a Class 2 victory at Tamworth in 2021.
In the colts and geldings division, Maher will also saddle up Milsons Point – a debut winner at Pakenham on December 13 – as well as debutant Invicto, who was a $600,000 purchase at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“Milsons Point can’t do any wrong,” Turnbull said.
“He was very good that day at Pakenham while Invicto is a well-bred colt who has been improving all the time.
“He’s taken one extra jump-out for fitness and to give him a bit more graft.
“He’s a very attractive and imposing animal and we would expect them both to be competitive.”
