Angel of Mercy could be set for the Queensland Oaks after scoring a breakthrough stakes victory in today’s listed James HB Carr Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
A beautifully bred daughter of Hussonet, Angel of Mercy had already earned black type in Melbourne, but today’s victory was a most valuable one for connections.
Given a lovely run just off the speed for much of the journey, Angel of Mercy showed good acceleration in the straight and she came home strongly under the urgings of Craig Williams.
Trainer Gerald Ryan said the win was very much deserved and he’s now looking to the Queensland Winter Carnival in the hopes her great form will continue in more features.
“I thought she would be hard to beat,” Ryan said. “Getting back to 1400 metres on a bigger track, I can’t wait to get this filly to a mile.”
“She’s screaming out for (a mile) and he pedigree suggests it. She’s a nice filly still with some upside to her.”
“She’s been in work a long, long time, but she’s been going good. We’ve been spacing our runs with her.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if she ends up in Queensland. I’ve always thought she would get to a mile and a quarter – she’s a three-year-old filly and she’s entered in the Oaks.”
“If I can find the right program heading toward it, I might aim her at the race. You only get one go at it as a three-year-old.”
“If she couldn’t stay you’d freshen her up for the Winter Stakes,” Ryan summed up.
Angel of Mercy was bred in South Australia by the Watson family’s Mill Park and their long time friends and clients Bob and Helen Dinham.
She was sold through the draft of Mill Park for $180,000 where she caught the eye of trainer Gerald Ryan.
A daughter of Cornerstone Stud’s top international sire Hussonet, Angel of Mercy is a valuable breeding prospect of the future.
She is from the city winning and 100 per cent winner producer Pieta – a daughter of Clay Hero, but importantly a half sister to two group winners including Divine Madonna.
Bred by the same group as Angel of Mercy, Divine Madonna was sold through the Adelaide Yearling Sale to Mark Kavanagh for $82,500 and she established herself as one of the great modern day race mares.
A winner of eight races and earnings of over $2 million, Divine Madonna was sold off the track for $2.7 million to Darley Australia and she was recently represented by her first winner, a juvenile victor in New South Wales.
Winner: Angel of Mercy
Breeding: Hussonet-Pieta by Clay Hero
Race: ATC James HB Carr Stakes LR (1400m)
Sold for: $180,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Mill Park (As Agent)
Buyer: Gerald Ryan
Earnings: $138,300
Owner(s): EA & Mrs JA, TA & Ms CC Galante, BP Mullins & Ms DR Keegan
Trainer: Gerald Ryan (Rosehill)
