By Ray Hickson
Trainer Gwenda Markwell is expecting positive returns from her stable stars Angel Of Truth and Archedemus at Randwick on Saturday but warns they will improve on whatever they produce.
Australian Derby winner Angel Of Truth gave Markwell a special moment when he took out the three-year-old staying classic in the autumn and she said the gelding has thrived in his break.
“He spelled really well, he’s not a big gross doing horse,’’ she said.
“He was well looked after by Peter at Manx Park. They did a great job with spelling him.
“He got a little bit stronger but he’s just an athlete.’’
Angel Of Truth was an $11 chance on Thursday with TAB in the Group 2 $250,000 Bob Ingham Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).
He’s unbeaten at 1600m and won two of his three first-up attempts but certainly not in Group 2 weight-for-age company so Markwell is looking for a good pointer for the Cups campaign he has ahead.
Angel Of Truth wins the Australian Derby at Randwick in April
“He’s a horse that has a little bit of improvement and is on the way up,’’ she said.
“I think he will run an even race, he’ll be handy and just keeping at it all the way.’’
Plans for stablemate Archedemus will become clearer after the Hawkesbury Cup winner’s return in the Group 2 $200,000 Harvey Norman Tramway Stakes (1400m).
Markwell said there are plenty of options for the talented miler, who has won seven of his 11 starts, including the Group 1 Epsom Handicap and the inaugural $1m The Gong at Kembla Grange in November, a race she says she’d love to have a runner in.
Archedemus and Angel Of Truth contested the same barrier trial at Warwick Farm on August 23, and finished seventh and eighth respectively behind Pierata.
“He’s the same, he’s still on the way up and will benefit from the race,’’ she said.
“But he is coming along nicely and I think he will be a bit more furnished this time.’’
The gelding has drawn barrier two in the Tramway, he’s an $18 chance, and Markwell says his best performances are when he’s able to keep moving.
“As long as you’re not holding him up he has speed and he maintains it, a bit like Angel Of Truth,’’ she said.
“If the speed is right on he’ll get back and be running home but he needs clear running.
“I think he will benefit from a race, he’s a bit thick winded and he will take improvement out of it.’’
Victorian jockey Luke Currie partners both horses at Randwick on Saturday.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Royal Randwick meeting