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Rocky filly set for the city in Calaway Gal

10 December 2021

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By Glenn Davis

Kevin Hansen is reluctant to compare his promising filly Heroic Angel with her close relative Sweet Dolly, but that could soon change if she wins the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The Rockhampton-based trainer is having a throw at the stumps by sending the daughter of Heroic Valour south in the hope of qualifying for the $2 million Magic Millions Classic over 1200 metres at the Gold Coast next month.

Heroic Angel – a Justin Stanley mount - was a $70,000 buy at the Magic Millions sales at the Gold Coast and is out of a half sister to Sweet Dolly who Hansen trained to win the QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast in March.

Sweet Dolly, a daughter of Real Saga, is unbeaten in four starts which included a win in the Calaway Gal Stakes 12 months ago.

She subsequently injured her suspensory ligament which required six months rehabilitation and has only recently returned to Hansen’s stable.

Heroic Angel faces a huge step up in class after winning her only start in a maiden over 1000 metres at Townsville in late October.

“She was very impressive winning at Townsville but she got further back than expected and went to the line strongly,” Hansen said.

“She’s paid up for the Magic Millions after her owner Michelle Walker bought her.

“Michelle also owns Sweet Dolly and went to $70,000 to get Heroic Angel because she’s related to her and she really wanted to get an Heroic Valour filly from the sales.”

Hansen is keeping a close watch of the weather but is confident Heroic Angel is adaptable enough to handle a wet track should rain fall.

“I don’t really know about her in the wet but I can’t see why she wouldn’t handle a rain-affected track,” he said.

“Even though they’re related there’s no great resemblance between her and Sweet Dolly.

“Heroic Angel is a nice big strong filly but we’ll never know if she’s up to the Magic Millions unless we have ago.

“Right at this stage I don’t think Heroic Angel is as good as Sweet Dolly.”

Heroic Angel is an $11 chance in latest Calaway Gal markets after drawing the near outside alley.

“She’s drawn badly but I think she’ll still be competitive,” Hansen said.