Derrick confident of securing victory with ‘special’ horse

Jockey Madi Derrick is confident a fruitful association with her favourite horse Twain’s Angel can continue at Ascot on Saturday and lead to the second leg of a feature race double for the Sean and Jake Casey-trained mare.

Twain’s Angel’s win in January’s Listed Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) gave Madi Derrick her biggest moment in racing and she’s positive of claiming a second major scalp in the City Of Belmont-Marjorie Charleson Classic (1200m).

Derrick has built a strong rapport with Twain’s Angel, describing the four-year-old as her favourite horse and has been with the daughter of Toronado in all of her three public appearances this campaign,

Nestled either side of her Scenic Blast success, Twain’s Angel hasn’t enjoyed the best of runs when resuming for third in the Miss Andretti Stakes (1100m) and a last start second to Snowdome in the Cyril Flower Stakes.

Snowdome franked the form with a jump and run victory over Man Crush in last Sunday’s Pinjarra Classic (1300m) and will next target the Bluff Knoll (1099m) in Albany.

Derrick said she’s looking forward to teaming up with Twain’s Angel, who from barrier three, faces a small field of six other rivals in the Marjorie Charleson Classic.

“She’s a pretty special horse and I’ve been very lucky to have been with her in her career so far,” Derrick said on Tabradio.

“She was a little unlucky copping those bumps in the straight (Pinjarra Classic) and I think she would have finished much closer if she was able to get that clear run in, but it was still a pretty good effort.

“I ride her most days and she seems to be well and has come though that run really well.

“She’s been pretty spritely over the last couple of weeks and has gone three weeks between runs.

“She’s feeling well and ready to go around tomorrow (Saturday).

“She’s still a happy horse and hopefully she can run at her best.”

Twain’s Angel has been displaced as favourite by Generosity, one of two starters in the Marjorie Charleson for trainer, Simon Miller.

Generosity has tightened from $3.60 to $2.65. The four-year-old is first up and resumes winning a warm up trial.

From barrier six she has the services of in-form jockey, Chris Parnham.

Twain’s Angel has eased from $2.40 to $2.80.

The Casey’s also have Angel Undercover as representation.