Written by Paul Vettise
Gwenda Markwell knows what it takes to succeed at the top level and she’s ready to challenge for Group 1 honours again with her current stable star Angel Of Truth (Animal Kingdom).
The Kembla Grange horsewoman produced the 3-year-old to bounce back from a Benchmark 78 defeat at Rosehill to run his rivals into the deck in the G2 TAB Tulloch S. and loom into G1 Australian Derby contention.
“I think I will back him up. I will talk to the owners and see how he pulls up first though,” Markwell said.
Gwenda Markwell with racing manager Ross McConville
Backing horses up is something she has done to great effect in the past and in 2004 she enjoyed a fine run with Grand Zulu (Grand Lodge {USA}).
“I think I will back him up. I will talk to the owners and see how he pulls up first though.” - Gwenda Markwell.
He finished runner-up in the G1 Rosehill Guineas and a week later came out and beat Mummify (Jeune {GB}) and the super mare Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {Ire}) in the G1 BMW S., the last win of his 37-start career as it happened.
Markwell’s current contender Angel Of Truth had won three lower grade races prior to the Tulloch and his free-going style was ideally suited to an early track bias that saw front-runners favoured.
Rider Corey Brown had him purring along at the head of affairs and the gelding stayed on in a manner to suggest another 400 metres in the Derby won’t get to the bottom of him.
“He certainly toughed it out well there. He got to the front and saw it through well,” Markwell said.
“He certainly toughed it out well there. He got to the front and saw it through well.” – Gwenda Markwell.
A first Australian Group winner for his sire Animal Kingdom (USA), Angel Of Truth also has the pedigree to see him through with his dam Scarletini (Bernardini {USA}) a winner up to 2400 metres.
His family tree also features the former European Horse of the Year and dual G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) and the G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Metropolitan winner Tawqeet (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}).
There was an abundance of merit in the performance of the runner-up Madison County (NZ) (Pins), who came from the tail of the field.
"We'll have to go through the process and talk to everyone and see what they want to do." – Andrew Forsman.
Trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman and owner the China Horse Club will now ponder their next move with the dual Group 1 winner and whether to drop back in trip for the G1 Doncaster H. or go the opposite way for the G1 Australian Derby.
"I know some people are keen to see him run in the Doncaster, but I'm just not convinced he's that sort of horse,” Forsman said. “I know Tommy (Berry) shares the same opinion.
"We'll have to go through the process and talk to everyone and see what they want to do."
The Listed Tasmanian Derby winner Cossetot (Epaulette) was on the pace all the way and battled on well enough for third ahead of Carif (So You Think {NZ}) and In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock), who improved wide 600 metres out and died on his effort.
Siren sounds for mare
Later in the programme, Siren’s Fury (Myboycharlie {Ire}) charged home from the back of the small field to add the G3 E-Group Security Star Kingdom S. to her record. Her last success had been in the G3 Dark Jewel Classic at Scone 10 months ago.
“I thought it may have been a shade short for her and mid-race she wasn’t travelling that strongly and there were poor thoughts,” trainer Jason Coyle said.
“She picked up though and she’s a really nice mare and hopefully she can go up to the next level.”
Siren’s Fury’s well-timed finish got the better of Manuel (Commands) and Ardrossan (Redoute’s Choice) peaked on his run in the heavy conditions to run third.
