Sistine Angel’s march toward the G1 Thousand Guineas is right on track after she scored a brilliant win in the G3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.  The WA bred filly has always been held in high regard by trainer Andrew Noblet.

“I bought her in Perth for $60,000 and she’s a tough little horse,” Noblet recalled.  “She’s come back pretty well and her coat still has to come through so hopefully she keeps progressing.”

Sistine Angel (3f Testa Rossa – Famous Painter by Peintre Celebre) produced a brilliant burst from last to score by a head running away.  She was stakes placed in the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes at Flemington last season but went into Saturday’s race as a maiden.  

“To do that first up is a great effort,” Noblet continued.  “The Thousand Guineas is her main aim.  The Oaks isn’t really in our plans.  We might wait for the autumn before we look at a longer trip.”

Sistine Angel is the second stakes winner sired by Testa Rossa from his base at Vinery.  Smart filly Panipique opened his black-type account from the Hunter Valley when she won the Listed Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago.  He stood at Yallambee Stud in Victoria for five seasons until relocating to Vinery in 2006.

Sistine Angel is one of two winners from as many runners from Famous Painter.  The dam is an unraced daughter of stakes winning Rancher mare Rancheetah making her a half sister to the stakes winners Gallopini and Land Speed Record.

Famous Painter has a chestnut colt by G1 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Excites being prepared for the 2011 Perth Magic Millions yearling sale.