A split-second decision by Paul Harvey to make a lightning move on City Angel made all the difference at Belmont on Wednesday.

The lightly-raced 4yo daughter of City Place (USA) settled midfield on the fence but was eager to go faster approaching the home-turn.  Harvey obliged and she speared through an opening to join the leaders at the top of the straight. 

Maintaining that momentum despite racing first-up for four months, City Angel held off a late challenge from Frantic War (War Chant) to lead home a Yarradale Stud-sired quinella in the TABtouch Maiden (1000m).

City Angel, who was named TBWA Winner of the Week for that performance, didn’t debut until last August and had been placed at three of her four starts earlier this season.  “She was slowly away but was keen to go faster,” Harvey reported after returning to scale.  “I was a passenger for most of the way and kept her flowing when the gap appeared.

“It panned out pretty good and she will keep improving when she learns to jump.”

City Angel was bred by David Moore after buying her dam Flying Angel (Flying Spur) for a bargain $500 from Yarradale (as agent) at the 2018 Perth Magic Millions Winter Sale.  The mare was carrying her Belmont winner from the final crop of Yarradale sire City Place (USA).

Flying Angel has a perfect record at stud with 7 winners from 7 to the races and she has a Maschino colt (Lot 97) entered for the Perth Magic Millions by Brunswick-based Elvira Park (as agent) on February 23.

Frantic War is also due to break his maiden after going down a nose to City Angel.  He has a Long Leaf half-brother (Lot 290) entered for the Perth Magic Millions by Western Breeders Alliance (as agent) for Einoncliff Park.

City Angel defeats Frantic War at Belmont / Photo: Western Racepix