By Adam Hamilton
The “Queen” is back.
Aussie speed queen Arms Of An Angel is primed for a winning return in the Group 3 Les Chant Cup (1609m) at Menangle on Saturday night.
Trainer Shane Tritton declared the now five-year-old “bigger, better and more mature” than when we last saw her run mighty placings behind Kiwi superstar Have Faith In Me in the Chariots Of Fire and Miracle Mile in February/March.
And he will be “stunned” if she is beaten on Saturday night.
“I think she will win. In fact, I’ll be stunned if she doesn’t. I can see her winning by three or four lengths and breaking 1min50sec,” he said.
“She almost broke 1min50sec in her trial a couple of weeks back (she went 1min50.6sec) and she’s come on a heck of lot since.
“She’s only an M2 so we could have found an easier race if we wanted, but I’m happy to go into a free-for-all because she’s so good and she’s ready.”
Arms Of An Angel has not raced since galloping at the start, circling the field to lead, but weakening for third at Menangle on May 6.
The defeat and some issues straight after ended her planned NZ raid for the Harness Jewels.
Tritton said it was a battle to get her right again, but that’s now in the past.
“The last six weeks or so have been perfect and that’s all that matters now,” he said.
“Her attitude is greaty, her times on the track have been great and it’s exciting to be taking her back to the races.”
Arms Of An Angel has drawn gate nine in a good free-for-all, but the field does lack star factor.
“It’s a suitable race and I like the draw because she won’t have too many horses around her and can balance up early before pushing forward,” Tritton said.
Longer term, Tritton said the Perth Inter Dominion was unlikely.
“She’s entered, but I’d say we will stay at home. She loves mile racing and there are lots of options, many of them against her own sex, between now and the Ladyship Mile,” he said.
In other stable news, the very exciting Lombo Kotakinabalu is also close to a racetrack return after a slight health setback.
“He’s working well with Gracie (Arms Of An Angel),” Tritton said. “Given all his problems, we’re getting the vet to go right over him just to give us the OK to look for a race again.
“His target is the Miracle Mile. We’ll try and keep he and Gracie apart as much as possible.”
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