When former New Zealand trained mare Arms Of An Angel recorded a mile rate of 1:50.7 winning at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Sunday afternoon, harness racing trainer Shane Tritton contemplated taking the daughter of Elsu to Western Australia. Tritton will fly out to Perth with Inter Dominion entrants Mach Beauty and Easy On The Eye later this month and considered putting her on the plane also to compete in the feature mares races being run at Gloucester Park during the carnival.
After discussing the decision with majority owner Zac Cornell, Arms Of An Angel will remain in New South Wales and will continue to race through her grades.
"We had a good long think about taking her to Perth but I think it is in the best interests of the mare that she remains at home and continues to work her way through the grades," Tritton said.
"She has obvious ability but she is a handful and still has a lot to learn so I'd like to see her race through to metropolitan company and if she warrants a crack at qualifying for the Ladyship Mile then that is what her target will be."
Arms Of An Angel raced 23 times in New Zealand for two victories and Tritton admitted he was surprised at the improvement the mare has shown since arriving.
"This is all on Zac, he is the best judge of a horse I know, he found her in New Zealand and flew himself over to drive her then made an offer to buy her.
"He didn't pay a lot for her in relation to what some people pay for horses from New Zealand but he has a tremendous eye for a horse, he purchased Mach Beauty and Suave Stuey Lombo after watching them and they are probably the best two horses I've had in my stable."
Tritton spent the early part of this week in Perth exploring different training facilities for the upcoming Inter Dominion.
"The horses will be stabled at Gary Hall's property, the set-up is very similar to what the horses have at home right down to the track where they will work.
"I'm really excited by the Inter Dominion, Mach Beauty was brave on Saturday night at Menangle and I think he has proved that he is getting back to somewhere near his best."
Mach Beauty and Easy On The Eye are scheduled to start in Friday week's group two Smoken Up Sprint at Melton before flying to Western Australia two days later.
"I'm looking forward to it, I'll spend most of my time in Perth during the Inter Dominion while Lauren (Panella driver) will fly back and forth so she is going to earn plenty of frequent flyers points that's for sure.
Greg Hayes