Angoves chasing regal result in rich Wagga series

The Angove family has long been one of Victoria’s quiet achievers in trotting circles – and tomorrow night (May 19) they’ll take emerging youngster Regal Gala north as part of a huge Victorian harness racing assault on Wagga Wagga’s rich Nutrien Classic Sales series.

Based at Muckleford near Maryborough, the Truscott Lodge stable, run by father and son Chris and Brad Angove, has built a reputation for producing tough, well-gaited trotters the old-fashioned way – with patience, hard work and plenty of hands-on care.

Headed by 74-year-old horseman Chris, the family made the decision several years ago to focus heavily on “baby” trotters – and now have emerging two-year-old gelding Regal Gala (Pastor Stephen) lining up in preludes of the lucrative series.

“We like him a lot. He’s very well gaited and dad’s done everything with him, including driving him at the trials. Every time the horse steps out, he’s getting better and better,” Brad said.

“When he won at Maryborough, he dug deep. When they went 28.4 early and then 29.7 late, I said to dad I thought he might have been vulnerable. But the horse hit the line well.”

Brad expects the Wagga assignment to provide another serious test.

“Apart from Verbici (Chris Lang/Sonia Mahar) and Corporate Affairs (Antii Ruokonen), there’s a few others from strong stables, so it will be good to see how he handles it,” he said.

Verbici won a Melton trial on May 12 with plenty in reserve in 2.01-9 for 2240m. Corporate Affairs made an error on debut, but showed he has speed. He then finished second at Terang trials May 14.

Regal Gala is owned by Sydney trotting enthusiast Michael Taylor.

“Michael’s been a big supporter of ours for a long time and he’s been breeding and buying trotters for years. He’s put a lot into the sport, so I really hope for him that this fella turns out to be a bit special,” Brad said.

The Angoves proudly hold their own with a small and passionate family-run operation, but their record commands respect.

Chris Angove has trained nearly 200 winners, including four Group One successes – Lacey Truscott (The Redwood Classic, July 20, 1997), Sundons Courage (Empire VicBred 2yo Trot, July 3, 2015), Mizurri (Empire Home Grown Classic, December 19, 2015), and Ebonys Avenger (VSS 2yo Fillies Trot Final, December 31, 2021).

Sundons Courage, who now stands at stud for the Angoves alongside Kvintet Avenger (FIN), also captured two Group Two free-for-all events and two Group Threes.

“We’ve never been to Wagga before and we’ve got five in, three of those are Dad’s, but it’s a bit up in the air if he’ll come on Tuesday though,” Brad said.

“He’s always saying he doesn’t like travelling, but it’s not that. He’s been a bit crook over the past few days, so hopefully he comes good for the finals because he’s put so much work into them, particularly Regal Gala.”

Brad said the stable currently had between 15 and 20 horses in work, alongside a growing crop of youngsters – all of them square gaiters.

“There’s just dad, my sister Melissa and myself doing them. We put a lot of time into them and the 14 yearlings we have at the moment is our biggest crop,” Brad said.

“We look after them at home and let them naturally progress through going to the races,” he said.

“Dad got into trotters years ago and just seemed to click with them. He’s 74 years of age and he’s a weapon! He’s up each morning at around six o’clock and doesn’t stop.

“I was giving him a bit of a hand at one stage with the shoeing, but I hurt my back so that ended that.

“I’ve actually upped my broodmare base in the past few years so it’s exciting times. It’s good to think a couple of boys from the bush can have a crack at keeping up with the big boys.”

Leading Victorian reinsman James Herbertson will partner Regal Gala and Elegant Spirit for Chris at Wagga, while Brad has booked Glen Craven and Cameron Hart.

Herbertson will also handle Howdy Mate for Jess Tubbs in the three-year-old colts and geldings prelude.

“Chris does a good job with his team – he always gets the young ones going well. Hopefully we give them a run for their money,” Herbertson said.

The sizeable Victorian invasion for the 10-race card includes Herbertson, Glen Craven, Chris Alford, John Caldow, Nathan Jack, Chris Lang, Alex Ashwood, Stacey Towers, Neville Pangrazio, Taylor Youl, Tina Ridis and Stephen Boyington. As well as Hart, the New South Wales challengers include KerryAnn Morris, Blake Fitzpatrick, Zara Fitzpatrick and former Victorian Michael Stanley.

The rich finals of the Nutrien series will be run at Riverina Paceway on May 30.

See the full fields for tomorrow night here: 

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink