Trainer Jason Warren says Palm Angel has been a victim of her early two-year-old form.
Palm Angel will be lining up for start number 12 when she runs in the Drummond Golf Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield Heath on Saturday.
In her previous 11 starts, Palm Angel registered two wins, the only time the now four-year-old had filled a place.
On debut Palm Angel won the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield and two starts later took out the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m), also at Caulfield.
Warren is not disappointed the then filly had attained crucial Black Type for her future as a broodmare, but Palm Angel has paid the penalty since.
In eight runs since that Blue Diamond Prelude victory, the closest Palm Angel has come to filling a place was when fourth in a three-year-old fillies benchmark 78 grade race when she was burdened with 60.5kg before the 3kg of Jackson Radley.
On Saturday, Palm Angel is back to a benchmark 74 race where she has 61.5kg which will be offset by the now 2kg claim of Radley.
“She’s carried a lot of weight ever since her early days, but I’m happy with how she’s going and her work has been good,” warren said.
“I’m hopeful that she can bounce back on Saturday.
“She probably gets into the race OK at the weights after the claim for what she has been getting.”
At her most recent outing, Palm Angel finished sixth over 1400m at Flemington on July 18.
“I thought her run last start from a difficult barrier was a good run,” Warren said.
“Jackson had to go too far back from a wide gate, and she was good to the line.
“I think she’s been looking for a little bit further now and it has been a little bit of time between drinks for her.
“What we don’t want is any more rain for her.”
