The 4yr-old mare was in her element in the 1600m maiden, swooping up in the straight to win by 1 lengths ahead of Metro Lover.
Angel Falls was a $5000 buy for Ashburton co-trainer Daniel Champion at the 2012 Karaka select sale for a stable client. However, she was found to be a wind-sucker so Champion and Murphy offered to hold on to the horse and the breeder, Llanhennock Trust, took a share. Champion was quite keen on the filly's maternal side, with her dam , Scenic Design, being by the sire Theatrical.
She began her career at the same track in July last year, before taking a break and returning for a summer and autumn campaign.
She found the opposition too smart in the autumn, well beaten in the listed Insurance Stakes and the Warstep Stakes at Riccarton.
''The 3yr-olds going around in those other 3yr-old races were far too strong for her,'' Champion said.
''It's strength that's held her back.
''She'll stay all day. We threw her in the Warstep Stakes because she's only 3 once, but it was just too deep for her.''
Dead tracks have been few and far between around the South Island this winter, although Champion was not too worried about the surface despite the daughter of Perfectly Ready showing her best form on softer ground.
''Early on, she wouldn't have copped this track - she would have needed a bit more jar out of it - but she's getting better.
''She's a push-button horse and she can only improve off that.''
Champion and co-trainer Kezia Murphy will now weigh up what to do with her, but she might be a regular visitor to Oamaru over the next year or two.
''I would really like to give her a bit [of time off]. She did a lot going into the Warstep Stakes.
''It won't worry her as she loves being in work, but I'd love to see her this time next year.''
In good books: Washdyke trainer Michael Daly is already in the good books of Ashburton owner Kevin Doolan following O'Loughlin's win in the 1200m maiden.
''We've got off to a good start - that's [Doolan's] first start with me,'' Daly said after the grey mare bounded away to win by 1 lengths over Ash.
The daughter of O'Reilly had six starts for Ashburton trainer Russell McKay before joining Daly this year. Daly was quite hopeful of a good fresh-up performance based on her trackwork and the addition of a hood.
''She's a pretty good track galloper so she does a bit of work at home,'' he said.
''She used to pull a bit in her races, but she's settled down and the hood has even settled her a bit more.
''She settled really good in front and I wasn't surprised she kicked like she did.''
