Race experience pays off for Arctic Angel

The value of race experience has shone through for Arctic Angel with the filly taking out a stakes race at Sandown.

Arctic Angel and runner-up Mikuni were two of only three runners in Saturday’s Listed Merson Cooper Stakes to have previous race experience.

Ridden by Chris Symons, Arctic Angel firmed from $9 into $6 before scoring by 1-3/4 lengths from Mikuni ($9.50) with Zarpoya ($31) a head away third.

From The Clouds, the only other galloper to have previous race experience, ran on to finish seventh after being backed from $51 to $26.

Trainer Mathew Ellerton said Arctic Angel had taken a lot of benefit from her debut performance at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.

“I thought she saddled up really well today and looked beautiful in the yard,” Ellerton said.

“She did the job accordingly.”

Ellerton said Arctic Angel would now go for a spell having done her job in gaining black-type status.

He said the daughter of Hard Spun had blossomed through her campaign after starting out as a “plain Jane”.

“She’ll have a good break and she might fit in somewhere in the autumn,” Ellerton said.

“She’s an unassuming type of filly that has risen to every challenge that we have given her.

“Who knows how far she can go as I didn’t think leading would suit her here today.”