Last start winner Devil Hawk will be one of three runners trainer Chris Waller will saddle up in the Group 3 $200,000 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Tye Angland, above, will ride Devil Hawk in the Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Devil Hawk, the younger brother of Queensland Derby winner Hawkspur, looks likely to back up this weekend after winning the Group 3 $125,000 Coca-Cola Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle last Friday.
Tye Angland was full of praise for Devil Hawk after his Spring Stakes win and said that the colt would definitely improve as the distances got longer further into his campaign.
“He is a horse that is looking for further,” Angland said.
“He is still learning how to gallop so that is really going to improve on that.”
Devil Hawk has drawn barrier ten in the twelve horse Gloaming Stakes field and Angland will be looking to slot in somewhere midfield and find some cover.
Waller can see the wide barrier as a definite setback but said the Purrealist colt can still win with luck in running.
“I think Devil Hawk will need luck from the barrier ten and Vanbrugh will be in a better position,” Waller said.
“I think either two can win the race. The best ride and better luck in running will win the race.”
Stablemate Vanbrugh is stepping up drastically in class after scoring a comfortable mid-week win over 1600m in a BenchMark 70 at Warwick Farm on September 9 but Waller is confident that he will race well from barrier five with Hugh Bowman aboard.
Waller’s third runner in the Gloaming Stakes is Battle Of Hastings with Glyn Schofied to ride from barrier 2.
Battle Of Hastings will to improve drastically on his last start third in a Newcastle Class 1 over 1600m on September 18 to be a threat on Saturday.
Tatoosh made up ground in the straight to run second to Devil Hawk in the Spring Stakes but has also fared badly in the barrier draw, coming up with the outside gate with Thomas Huet taking over from Kerrin McEvoy.
Gold Ambition ran an improved race to finish third in the Spring Stakes and a good barrier draw at four could give the Bjorn Baker trained three year old the advantage if Brenton Avdulla can secure a good run.
The Gai Waterhouse trained Clash Of Clans was only beaten a length and a half when fifth behind Devil Hawk at Newcastle and looks the likely leader again from barrier six after setting the pace in the Spring Stakes.
Josh Parr takes over James McDonald who is riding at Caulfield on Saturday.
