Lee Freedman-trained 4-year-old Here De Angels is set for his best campaign yet after a stunning first-up win in the Group Three Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield.
More confident and settled than in previous campaigns, the classy sprinter justified his $1.80 quote when he tracked the leader Miss Lucilleand romped home by 1 3/4 lengths from perennial placegetter Let Go Thommo with Raid The Royals 2 1/4 lengths away third in the 1100m feature yesterday.
Michael Freedman said Here De Angels was just off the top horses last spring but was now ready to take the next step.
"He is a good dry track horse and there are good options for him through the autumn.
"The next three or four months will probably be his prime time."
Freedman said Here De Angels had been identified as a horse who races best around corners and when kept fresh.
He said he would get his chance to win a Group One race in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 23.
Jockey Corey Brown knows Here De Angels better than most, having been his regular rider in his 11-start career which has featured seven wins including the Group Three McEwen Stakes (1000m) beating Gold Edition at Moonee Valley first-up last campaign.
Brown said the Dehere gelding had put his bad barrier manners behind him and was more mature and sure of himself.
Lucky Diva produced a rare positive from the equine influenza (EI) outbreak when she posted her first win in nearly two years.
Trainer Robert Smerdon thought he had seen the last of the talented 6-year-old after her spring campaign was terminated last August so she could be mated to outstanding sire Flying Spur.
The mating never happened following the outbreak of EI just days after she finished near last in the Group Three Cockram Stakes at Caulfield on August 18.
Smerdon said Lucky Diva's owners, Tony and Joe Bongiorno, had their heart set on a Flying Spur foal and decided against selecting an alternative stallion.
Ridden by apprentice Dean Holland, Lucky Diva got home by a long neck from favourite La Famelia with Fearless Waters 1 3/4 lengths away third.
