Angel Capital has finally achieved a significant Group 1 victory, claiming the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield.
Having been relegated to fourth place as the $2.90 favourite in last year’s 1400m event, Angel Capital rectified that performance under an exceptional ride from Ben Melham.
Overtaking the previous year’s Sir Rupert Clarke winner, Sepals ($11), in the final 100 metres, Angel Capital ($5) went on to secure a three-quarter-of-a-length triumph.
The early pacesetter, Regal Award ($9.50), finished a long-neck behind in third place.
Angel Capital commenced his racing career with Clinton McDonald at Cranbourne before being acquired by Yulong and subsequently transferred to the stable of Chris Waller.
The Waller training team had contemplated a start in the upcoming Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield but redirected their focus to Saturday’s race when Angel Capital appeared to be favourably handicapped.
Former champion jockey Darren Beadman, representing the Waller stable, expressed the relief of seeing Angel Capital finally reach Group 1 status.
“He’s been unlucky so many times in Group 1’s,” Beadman stated. “He’s been deserving of the Group 1 win for so many runs and the way this track panned out today with a good, a strong speed up front, and Ben has the utmost faith in the horse, he rode him to perfection.”
Beadman attributed Melham’s pivotal role in Angel Capital’s breakthrough Group 1 success.
Melham was involved in much of Angel Capital’s early racing when the horse was under McDonald’s tutelage.
“He’s shown a lot of faith and confidence in the horse,” Beadman added. “There wouldn’t be too many jockeys that would have the key to unlock the gift that he’s got, the horse. Benny’s riding in career best form and looks strong and fit.”
Melham had consistently spoken highly of Angel Capital’s capabilities from their initial association.
He guided the now five-year-old gelding to victories in the McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley and the Caulfield Guineas Prelude during his three-year-old season. However, following Angel Capital’s move to Waller’s yard, Melham had only partnered him on a limited number of occasions, including Group 1 placings in the C F Orr Stakes and the Newmarket Handicap last season.
“We’ve sort of praised his ability from day dot,” Melham remarked. “I just knew today that it’s the first time he’s been in a suitable race where I thought everything would go to plan with the right conditions. Then we got here this morning, and they cut the track in half. Honestly, he needs all the track he can get, so I wasn’t too happy about that, but we found a race with good speed. He got into a good rhythm, and obviously Chris is a master at setting these horses for these races. He looked a picture in the yard when I got on him, he gave a little pig root going out on the track and then he just rolled to the barriers beautifully in the zone. The ability’s never been the question with him. He’s a very good colt, as you’ve seen there today, but he’s just so big and he’s such a brute. He’s not an easy horse to ride, but when things go his way, you’ve seen what he can do.”
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