Written By Ben Sporle for racing.com with Tim Yeatman
Tom Dabernig may have already won a Warrnambool Cup, but a victory in the 2022 edition on Thursday with Angel Rock would be the most significant of his new independent venture.
Dabernig was part of the Lindsay Park partnership that prepared Furrion to win the race in 2019, but Angel Rock will be his first cup runner as a local trainer since he relocated a month after last year’s carnival.
Angel Rock winning the Terang Cup. Image: Racing Photos
“I’m a local now but they didn’t give me the local’s barrier,” Dabernig said of drawing gate 11.
“She’s been in terrific form and has that great residual fitness.”
Angel Rock has been a revelation since arriving at Warrnambool, progressing from Benchmark 58 company to a Terang Cup win in one preparation.
Dabernig admitted there is some concern with the mare untested on Heavy ground.
“If the track was to get worse than Soft and into the Heavy range, it might be a slight question mark but she’s an in-form mare and hopefully she can run well,” Dabernig said.
“Three-consecutive days of racing the track does a great job but naturally by the last day it’s got that wear and tear, so maybe the outside gate might be the place to be.”
Harry Coffey will partner the five-year-old, who is a $21 chance with Sportsbet.
Dabernig is set to move into a new on-course stabling complex in the coming weeks to accommodate up to 40 horses.