The heartbreak horse of the spring, Gwenda Markwell's Angel Of Truth, returns to the track on Saturday to take on the likes of Alizee and the ageless Happy Clapper in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m).
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It's the first step in the four-year-old gelding's autumn campaign, four months after a disappointing spring where he was ruled out of the Melbourne Cup.
Angel Of Truth announced himself as a star by winning the Australian Derby at Randwick in April, but after finishing fifth to Avilius in the George Main in September, struggled in the Group 2 Hill Stakes, then was 15th in the Caulfield Cup and battled when 11th in the Bendigo Cup.
While he was already guaranteed a spot in the Melbourne Cup field after the Derby win, Angel Of Truth then presented with lameness in the left foreleg and was spelled.
The Apollo Stakes will be a stepping stone towards a shot at the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) on March 28, where he is currently listed as a $26 shot with TAB.
Defending Tancred champion Avilius as a $6 early favourite.
No Bull, Sargent colt now favourite
John Sargent colt Encountabull is a $3.70 favourite after the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Cellsabeel was scratched for Wednesday's $2 million Inglis Millennium at Warwick Farm.
Washed out on Saturday, the rich sales-related race and the $1 million Inglis Sprint were added to Wednesday's program at the same track.
The surface had improved from a heavy 10 to a 9 on Tuesday with Racing NSW stewards declaring the track fit for racing on Wednesday morning
It comes after yet another Kembla Grange meeting was ruined by rain, this time transferred to Newcastle, where the the program was completed without concern.
Stolen Glance is now listed at $26 with TAB and while it's expected she will push out to a mile as she matures, there is belief in the Markwell camp that she will handle the wet track and is an each-way hope.
Maher has ruled out running her in the Blue Diamond on Saturday week, sending Magic Millions winner Away Game to Melbourne for the Group 1 race.
Cellsabeel's options include the Silver Slipper on February 22 or the Sweet Embrace Stakes a week later.
The filly has earned $124,000 which leaves her borderline to gain a start in next month's $3.5 million Golden Slipper for two-year-olds for which she is favourite.
The Inglis Millennium prize money does not count towards a Slipper start.
Other alternatives for the Millennium include running it on Friday night at Canterbury which is generally considered the best draining track in Sydney.
Force to be reckoned with
Dreamforce steps up to a weight-for-age campaign starting with the Apollo Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
The John Thompson-trained seven-year-old is a consistent quiet achiever, winning more than $1.5 million for his syndicate of owners headed by Tony Crisafi.
"He is the stable stalwart. He is a beautiful animal," Thompson told AAP.
"Hopefully the weather stays fine.
"He's won both his trials but he doesn't want it too wet."
Notation among Nowra hopefuls
Canberra trainer Matthew Dale's four-year-old mare Notation is among 32 nominations for the Country Championships heat at Nowra on Sunday.
Notation is a $8 favourite in early markets for the $500,000 April 4 final at Randwick.
However, Dale has also nominated her for three races on Saturday at Randwick, as trainers and officials continue to monitor the weather conditions.
Nowra was rated a Heavy 10 on Tuesday and Notation has two wins from as many starts on wet ground, while Randwick could push into the Soft range if the avoid another big downpour.
Tash Burleigh's Al Mah Haha an Danielle Sieb's Assaul'n'bathory have also been nominated for Sunday.
Assuming all meetings are to proceed, Coffs Harbour will kick-off the $150,000 qualifiers on Saturday, before Albury and Taree next weekend, then Mudgee, Tamworth, Coonamble and Muswellbrook.
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