Stretan Angel (AUS)

2 f Harry Angel – Sretan by Bernardini

O: J M MacLean, Going Again (Mgr: G P Levvey), A Nelson, D N Wray, Inside Rail (Mgr: M A McCrory), Gungho (Mgr: Ms D A Gunn), M J Mccarron, D N Parkinson, J S Sellen, B C Sinnatamby, M J Brazel, T K Driver, I J Sellen, B S Sellen, Mrs J A MacLean, Mrs A J MacLean, A E Treptow & D J Maclean

B: Mr G Briscoe

T: Phillip Stokes

S: 2022 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale V: Raheen Stud P: Phillip Stokes / Rick Connolly, $64,000

W: Dequetteville Stakes, 1050m, April 15, Morphettville

A bright future is forecast for Stretan Angel (Harry Angel) after the two-year-old filly built on the promise of her debut second with a breakthrough win in Saturday’s Dequetteville Stakes (Listed, 1050m) at Morphettville.

Trained by Phillip Stokes, Stretan Angel showed a great turn of foot in coming from last. Having been slowly away, she was settled towards the rear. As the field compacted rounding into the straight, she accelerated past all her rivals impressively and was in front at the 100 metres, before strolling to the line a clear winner by two and three-quarter lengths from Artistica (Trapeze Artist).

Tommy Stokes, assistant to his father, the winning trainer Phillip, admitted Stretan Angel’s first start didn’t go to plan but was relieved the promising filly lived up to the stable’s lofty opinion of her on her second outing.

“We left disappointed that she did not win, but she could not have done any more,” Stokes said of the filly’s narrow defeat at the same track at the start of the month.

“We did not have her wound up for that, this race was a set play. She still does a bit wrong, mainly getting out of the gates and mustering, with everything else she seems very professional. She has the makings of a good horse, we need to iron out a few things.”

Stokes was undecided whether the two-year-old will go for a break or contest the Without Fear Stakes (Listed, 1050m) at Morphettville on May 6 but added: “She has a bright future and we will do the best by her.”

Stretan Angel was a $64,000 purchase from the Raheen Stud draft at last year’s Magic Millions National Yearling Sale by her trainer and agent Rick Connolly.

Darley shuttler Harry Angel (Dark Angel), who has four southern hemisphere-bred winners to date, is also the sire of the Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) placed Arkansaw Kid and Fernhill Handicap (Listed, 1600m) winner Tom Kitten.