There have been few more thrilling races than the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley last month when eight horses crossed the line with mere fractions between them. The verdict went to Lankan Rupee but we get a chance to see the runner-up Angelic Light in action on Saturday in the $750,000 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.
That was a fantastic run by Angelic Light who has clashing with the top sprinters all season. The Robbie Griffiths-trained mare will break from barrier five on Saturday and bids to add to her victory in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes. On that occasion she got the verdict over Lankan Rupee and she has been snapping at his heels ever since.
The big danger could be Peter Moody’s Moment Of Change who finished second in this race last year, beaten a nose by Buffering. He was only inches behind Angelic Light in the Manikato and then finished fifth behind Terravista in the Darley Classic.
Godolphin’s Sidestep has been the subject of some good support this week and starts from barrier two. The son of Exceed And Excel was three places behind Moment Of Change in the Darley but has been aimed specifically at this race for some time.
Jim Taylor’s Magnifisio beat a good field to win the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes last time out and had earlier finished fourth in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes. Her chances have not been helped with a wide barrier draw in eleven.
If there is to be a surprise it could come from the talented Bel Sprinter, winner of the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint. The seven-year-old disappointed last time out at Flemington behind Deep Field but could make them all go if he is in the mood. Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes winner Shining Knight had that race sewn up some way out but this looks a much tougher contest. Testamezzo finished strongly in second that day but will surely be playing for places at best.
Angelic Light is hard to fault on her form or her consistency and she can enjoy Group 1 success on Saturday at the main expense of Moment Of Change.
Angelic Light @3.10 Bet365
Bel Sprinter @14.0 Bet365
Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3
