After a delayed start to her campaign, Vangelic will be out to make up for lost time when she chases a valuable Group 1 win in the Coolmore Classic ahead of a possible All-Star Mile tilt seven days later.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott has revealed the Melbourne feature is firmly on their radar, but not before Vangelic is given the chance for a breakthrough success at the elite level this weekend.
“This has been a long-range target for her and a race that profiles lovely for her,” Bott said on SEN.
“She will take her place on Saturday, but we certainly haven’t ruled out the $5m All-Star Mile with her.”
Vangelic had an interrupted start to her preparation when she was scratched at the barrier prior to the Triscay Stakes (1200m) after being struck by another horse.
She then had to tackle 1400m first-up in the Guy Walter Stakes and did a good job to hold on for third behind Forbidden Love and Promise Of Success after leading.
“She missed that run and had to go into the Guy Walter there first-up, which I thought was a tough ask, but she stuck on very well,” Bott said.
“I thought she was open to a good deal of improvement and she has taken that, from what I’ve seen.
“She has traditionally improved sharply second-up into a run so we’re expecting a great performance from her on Saturday.”
Vangelic will be joined in the Coolmore by stablemate Shout The Bar, while filly Never Been Kissed will be kept to her own age in the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) earlier in the card.
Bott said the three-year-old race was a better fit for Never Been Kissed’s autumn program.
“It was tempting to be going to the Coolmore with the 50 kilos, but we just felt that this preparation her main aim has been towards the Vinery and the Oaks and we feel this race, the Phar Lap, may just set her up better for those runs going forward,” Bott said.
He also confirmed Randwick Guineas winner Converge would bypass the All-Star Mile and stay in Sydney where the Doncaster Mile would be his goal.
Forbidden Love was a notable absentee from the Coolmore Classic (1500m) field when acceptances were taken on Wednesday with connections deciding not to back her up for the third weekend in succession.
