PAUL MICALLEF
FROM one Angel In White to another.
Married At First Sight’s Anthony Manton (pictured above) has been focused on his TV bride Nadia Stamp for the past few months but on Friday night the Sky racecaller and presenter will turn his attention on another beauty to have taken his heart in the aptly named three-year-old filly.
Manton is the major part-owner of Angel In White who will be tackling a $20,000 heat of the Victoria Oaks at Melton in a bid to qualify for the $150,000 final run a week later.
A recent addition to the stables of Shane and Lauren Tritton, the ex-Kiwi earned a crack at the series with a very impressive win at Newcastle last Saturday night.
The daughter of Santanna Blue Chip controlled the race from outside the leader before cruising home in 1:56.5 for the mile.
She was driven confidently by the young Ben Woodsford who was deputising for the team while they attended the Bathurst Gold Carnival.
The hard working stable foreman actually left the course with a winning double have scored in the next race with Thebattlejustbegan in 1:55.7.
Shane Tritton has a healthy opinion of Angel In White and believes there is a lot more improvement to come.
“She is still a little bit immature and the best is yet to come,” he said.
“She had a slight setback when contacting a virus after the recent NSW Oaks Final at Menangle.
“The Victoria Oaks is a tough assignment but she has drawn the pole in the heat and I think she can make the final.
“She has a lot more gate speed than she showed at Newcastle.
“She may not be up to the likes Petacular (Victoria’s best) at this stage but she will give her owners a great sight tomorrow night.
“It is by far the stronger of the two heats but barrier one gives us options to ensure we get every chance to make the final.”
Angel In White was purchased by Manton on the advice of his friend, Global Bloodstock agent Darrell Kidd.
Kidd recommend the lightly-raced filly after some solid efforts in her homeland and the deal was struck for what might turn out to be a bargain $35,000.
Kidd, who has been in the Bloodstock business for nearly 30 years, is having one of his best years ever.
He is the man responsible in recommending his clients, husband and wife David and Helen Harper to purchase the Tritton-trained speed freak two-year-olds Divine State and My Sweetchilliphilly as unraced youngsters from New Zealand.
It’s also a feather in his cap to have runners in this year’s Inter-Dominion Final, Miracle Mile, Chariots Of Fire and Victoria Derby to name a few races.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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