Myalup trainer Justin Warwick admits he was pleasantly surprised by the win of Angola in the Listed Detonator Stakes (1800m) at Ascot on Saturday and says there is further improvement left in the seven-year-old.
The well-travelled son of Helenus was having his second start for Warwick and has emerged as a top Bunbury and Pinjarra Cup prospect after he charged down the outside to defeat Silver Plated by nearly a length.
“I was confident he would run a good race but I thought it might be too short for him,’ Warwick said on Tabradio.
“He showed a turn-of-foot and I probably didn’t think he had that in him and I’m not sure anyone did.
“He ran home in 34.27sec. and for a giant of a horse like him it’s pretty impressive.
“He is nowhere near top gear I would have thought and he couldn’t possibly be in just two runs backs.
“We have only had him for about six or seven weeks so you would think there is plenty of scope to move forward as the races progress and he has a little break.
“When he comes back he should start to hit his straps reach his potential then.
“I can’t see how a horse can be 100 per cent with the preparation he has had.”
Angola was bred by WA owner, Trevor Delroy, before racing in Victoria under the stewardship of Mornington trainer, Pat Carey.
He has won up to 2500m and ran third to Outback Joe in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington in 2014.
10-months later at his first outing in Perth he finished 9th of 10 to Rebelson in the Northam Cup (1600m.).
Warwick said he was pleasantly surprised how well Angola had adapted to his new training routine.
“He is one of those horses as the work increases he can take it and do pretty well and advance from it quickly,” Warwick said.
“Not many horses can do that and I can’t remember the last one that did, maybe Global Flirt or something like that.
“As hard as I can work him he finds it pretty easy and doesn’t stress too much about it.
“He adapts really quickly but he had a very good preparation at Trevor Delroy’s farm.
“He probably had a good four or five months of work under his belt so it wasn’t like I was throwing him straight on the barbecue.
“He is a big fit horse who arrived in good condition.”
RWWA: Julio Santarelli