While it was Vow And Declare who became a national hero by overcoming the odds and outlasting the international raiders in Melbourne, Markwell spent the day at Kembla Grange in a far quieter setting.

The Illawarra's leading trainer had hoped to be trackside at Flemington as Angel of Truth attempted to claim Australia's biggest race, her plans thrown into disarray after the ATC Derby winner pulled up sore following a disappointing showing in Bendigo last week.

Markwell had a mixed day on her home track, Aldasha her only winner, with Josephus finishing third in the last. The Scott Pollard-ridden gelding ran well down the straight to claim the 1000 metre maiden in his first race since March.

Angel of Truth had been Markwell's brightest star, however the gelding struggled throughout a tough spring campaign.

The four-year-old was sent for a spell following last Wednesday's Bendigo Cup, a race in which he faded badly to finish 11^th.

That was Angel of Truth's third-straight disappointing finish, after it also struggled in the Hill Stakes and placed 15^th in the Caulfield Cup.

Read more: Silent General salutes at Kembla Grange

Markwell acknowledged on Tuesday Angel of Truth is currently a level below the top stayers but she's confident he will return to Flemington in the coming years to have a crack at the Melbourne Cup.

"I'm not worried about not being at Flemington," Markwell said. "Angel of Truth just wasn't ready for it, that's all. He's just a year or two from being with those horses.

"He'll have a spell and then come back for the Autumn. Hopefully he's back there (Flemington) next year, he just was not ready for it this year."

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