Throughout his 17-start career, Angel Capital has shown Group 1 potential.
But to date, that win at the highest level has eluded the son of Harry Angel.
But a nice piece of work on Tuesday morning and, importantly, a good barrier draw gives Angel Capital the opportunity to break through at Group 1 level in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Angel Capital ran fourth in the Sir Rupert Clarke last year and has since gone on to place at Group 1 level in the C F Orr Stakes, the Newmarket Handicap and the William Reid Stakes.
Originally, Angel Capital was going to head to the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Sunday week, but with a natural topweight in the shape of Tom Kitten in Saturday’s race, it forced a rethink.
“We’ve got to win that Group 1,” trainer Chris Waller said.
“I thought he might have been topweight, but when there is a higher rated horse in the race, so that helped him with his weight, so it’s an invitation to run.
“I’ve been happy with his runs, and he should be ready to peak third-up on Saturday.
“His run in the Memsie Stakes was good, but it was tempo related. We learnt that he is more tractable now and doing everything right and from a good draw he can sit a little bit closer, and he doesn’t have to be out the back.”
Angel Capital is one of three runners Waller has in the Sir Rupert Clarke where he will be joined by Lady Shenandoah and Sun God.
Lady Shenandoah was scratched from The 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, avoiding a clash with Autumn Glow after drawing barrier one at Caulfield.
A three-time winner at Group 1 level, all those victories came as a three-year-old and Waller would like to add another to her CV as an older mare.
Waller said bypassing a clash with Autumn Glow made sense as both mares are owned in similar interests.
He said the good draw on Saturday was vital to Lady Shenandoah’s chances.
“She ran in the Manikato Stakes (at Moonee Valley) this time last year and had no luck from the wide draw,” Waller said.
Waller said import Sun God had been a revelation since being kept to shorter trips.
“He probably seems a bit below Group 1 level at this stage, but he’s done nothing wrong since he’s been in Australia,” Waller said.
“We’ve worked out he is a sprinter, not a stayer, and since he’s been trained that way, he’s been lethal fresh and putting a good record together.
“Hopefully he runs well on Saturday.”
