Australia: Angel Rock spotted reasonably in Terang Cup
Angel Rock was overmatched when she finished third in an allowance race at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Australia on March 19.
Angel Rock was beaten five lengths by the undefeated Yonce, who was scheduled to start in a Group 1 for fillies and mares at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Saturday.
Angel Rock has been given a more reasonable goal in Sunday’s Terang Cup at 1 5/16 miles at Terang Racecourse.
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A 5-year-old mare, Angel Rock has won 6 of 31 starts and is well suited to the distance of the Terang Cup. Angel Rock won a handicap at about 1 1/4 miles at Moonee Valley on Feb. 18 for her second win in three starts at the time.
In the Terang Cup, Angel Rock will be favored in a field of 12 on an eight-race program that begins at 11:25 p.m. Eastern or 8:25 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
Angel Rock drew the rail, and will be ridden by Harry Coffey. Angel Rock, who is quick enough to set the pace, has a favorable weight assignment of 119 pounds, far below topweight Bedford at 136.6 pounds.
An 8-year-old gelding, Bedford was third in a field of five in the Yarra Valley Cup at about 1 3/16 miles on March 20, his 10th consecutive loss since July 2020, but his first start since September. Bedford has every chance to improve from his recent race.
The Terang Cup is the first race on the Australian mainland in more than a year for Glass Warrior, who has been fourth or fifth in her last three starts, all in leading distance races at tracks on the island of Tasmania this year. On March 16, Glass Warrior was fourth by slightly less than a length in the Tasmanian St. Leger at 1 1/2 miles at Launceston Racecourse.
A 6-year-old mare, Glass Warrior won at 1 5/16 miles in a minor stakes in 2019. She was an attractive 6-1 in early betting on Friday, compared to Angel Rock at 2-1.