By Bren O'Brien
Breeder and owner Ross Williams has every faith that G2 Tulloch S. winner Angel Of Truth (Animal Kingdom {USA}) has the ability to back-up and win Saturday's $2m G1 Harrolds Australian Derby, it’s just a matter of whether it has all come a bit soon.
Angel Of Truth caused somewhat of an upset when he led all the way in the Tulloch S. last Saturday, but neither Williams nor trainer Gwenda Markwell were surprised that he handled the 2000m with aplomb.
"Gwenda was saying, what you see in his early race wins over shorter distances was raw ability and he will show his true ability, when he gets out over 2400m, even over 2000m, it’s a bit short for him," Williams told TDN AusNZ.
"As a type, he always looked the Derby type." - Owner Ross Williams
"As a type, he always looked the Derby type. He doesn’t carry much weight, he's very athletic and he's on his toes all the time. He doesn’t need much work and he's got good wind and recovers fast."
Trainer Gwenda Markwell with racing manager Ross McConville
Williams, who is the driving force behind the breeding operation Superhorse Trust, paid $80,000 for Angel Of Truth's dam Scarletini (Bernardini {USA}) at the 2015 National Broodmare Sale.
He was as much interested in the Animal Kingdom {USA}) foal she was carrying, as he was in the broodmare herself.
"I bought the mare in foal to him for that reason. I felt the cross was excellent for getting a Melbourne Cup horse, which is what I am after," he said.
"I felt the cross was excellent for getting a Melbourne Cup horse, which is what I am after." - Ross Williams
As a commercial breeder, Williams looks to put all his stock through the ring but couldn’t find a sale for Angel Of Truth as a yearling and retained him to race.
"I offer all my horses at the sale, but they don’t always pick them. I sold one by Testa Rossa at the Classic sale for $120,000, but I seem to have trouble getting the auctioneers to pick them," he said.
Angel Of Truth is by Animal Kingdom
"They say my yearlings are a bit backward compared to the rest, but they go on to win races, so I'm not too sure."
Williams has had significant success with those horses he has kept, including Anatomica (Choisir), who ran fourth in the G1 Golden Slipper S., Mandylion (Nicconi) and the very promising Archedemus (Lope de Vega {Ire}) who is the favourite for the Provincial Championship on the second day of The Championships.
"They say my yearlings are a bit backward compared to the rest, but they go on to win races." - Ross Williams
Last week's success in the Tulloch S. was his biggest as an owner in terms of the status of the race and could get even bigger should Angel Of Truth cause another upset on Saturday.
Williams is realistic about his chances and knows that whatever Angel Of Truth does, he will only improve going forward.
"He's a bit immature at the moment, and I guess the question on Saturday is how he goes against seasoned horses, who are probably more mature than him," he said.
"As I said, mine take bit longer to mature. If he fails, it will be not because he hasn't got the ability, but probably because he needs more time."
Both Williams and Markwell seem to be on the same page, something that Williams said is crucial when it comes to choosing a trainer.
As well as Kembla Grange based Markwell, Superhorse also uses the services of Warwick Farm-based Joe Pride and Bathurst horseman Dean Mirfin.
"If he fails, it will be not because he hasn't got the ability, but probably because he needs more time." - Ross Williams
"I've selected those trainers because I think they are kind to the horses and they don’t damage them," he said.
"That's very important to me as both an owner and a breeder."
