Expectations were high when Angels Fury stepped out on debut at Caulfield earlier in the year.
The Ciaron Maher-trained filly was sent out the heavily backed $1.70 favourite off the back of some impressive jump-outs in the Blue Diamond Preview in January but trailed the field home in last position.
Fast forward to last month, and Angels Fury makes her return in a Saturday country two-year-old maiden where she strolled home as an easing $1.95 top elect.
Now Angels Fury returns to Caulfield to contest the Sportsbet Race Reviews Handicap (1100m) on Saturday in a bid to get her reputation back in order.
Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said the stable had always held Angels Fury in high regard and believe the filly will rise to good level.
“She’s always been impressive since day one,” Turnbull said.
“To run on debut and run the way she did was very deflating, but at the end of the day we knew we had a young horse that pulled up with a few issues and we were able to reset and come back.
“All through her training this prep, she has been A-one. It’s been there to see in her jump-outs and that translated into her Bendigo run.”
So confident had the Maher team been in Angel Fury’s ability, they purchased the filly’s half-brother, by Spirit Of Boom, at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale before the two-year-old made her debut.
“You want to back your judgement of what you see at home and to see it race day, even in a maiden, it’s very satisfying,” Turnbull said.
“Hopefully we can continue because she has a lot of upside.”
Turnbull said Saturday’s performance will go a long way to determining the future program of Angels Fury.
He said the stable was planning ‘a month, month, month’, all being smooth.
“If she was to win on Saturday, being a city class race, you would have to consider going up in class, a Stakes race, but we’re one race at a time,” Turnbull said.
“She’ll get there eventually, whether it’s this spring or the autumn.”
In form apprentice Jabez Johnstone will claim 3kg from the filly bringing her in with 54.5kg.
