It wasn’t exactly a pleasant watch for trainer Kieran Regan, but he’s hoping his talented filly Lyrical Angel can get up and going again in Saturday’s Listed Belmont Oaks (2000m).
Full of hope pre-race, Kieran Regan was left lamenting after Lyrical Angel endured a torrid run out wide in the Belmont Guineas and tailed off to finish 35 lengths last behind Luvnwar.
Regan says Lyrical Angel is far better than what she showed in the Belmont Guineas and he expects the God Has Spoken filly to rebound quickly.
“To be honest, I haven’t watched the replay,” Regan said to the Races WA.
“It’s a complete forget as far as I’m concerned.
“There’s nothing I can do about it now.
“It’s a shame because she was tracking so well.
“But, the Belmont Oaks has been her grand final race.”
Regan says if Lyrical Angel can display her best version she can’t be discounted as having genuine claims in the Belmont Oaks.
That version was on full view three starts back at Belmont when she charged home from last to win her maiden in impressive fashion.
Regan claims her next run at Bunbury was also full of merit when she closed late for third behind Cherry Can Run and Kisses From Kelly.
“We went with the anticipation of Bunbury is a leaders track and we are going there to test her out over 1700m,” Regan said.
“The rail was out which made it even harder to come home.
“There were a couple on the day that were making ground and it sort of changed our expectations a little bit.
“I went away probably a little disappointed we didn’t win, but at the same time the day before I was going there for a good run running through the line.
“What she was able to do from where she was with the rail out so far on a leaders bias track, it was incredible for a three-year-old filly at her fourth start to do that.
“When you consider Kisses From Kelly beat us by a half a length and it’s gone on to win in town the next start and the next start.
“The form around her is stacking up.”
In a field of 10, Lyrical Angel has drawn ideally in barrier four.
Regular rider Steven Parnham is back aboard after riding Sapphire Street in the Belmont Guineas.
Luvnwar dominates the Tabtouch market for the Belmont Oaks.
Punters confident the Belmont Guineas winner, chasing a hat trick of wins, is the one to beat.
She sits at $1.90 after opening at $2.20.
Belmont Guineas runner-up Petrouchka is on the second line at $2.70 with betting apps.
Lyrical Angel has eased from $21 to $26.