Angel Capital finally secured a deserved breakthrough at the highest level when producing a powerful finish to land the Sept. 19 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (G1) at Caulfield Racecourse.
The Chris Waller-trained 5-year-old, who finished fourth as favorite in the corresponding race last year, was given a patient ride by Ben Melham before overhauling defending winner Sepals inside the final 100 meters.
Sent off at AU$5, Angel Capital defeated Sepals by three-quarters of a length, with early leader Regal Award another half-length away in third. Angel Capital completed the 1,400 meters (about 7 furlongs) in 1:21.29.
Originally trained by Clinton McDonald, Angel Capital was subsequently purchased by Yulong and transferred to Waller, for whom he had gone close at the highest level last season when placed in the CF Orr Stakes (G1), Newmarket Handicap (G1), and William Reid Stakes (G1).
Waller's representative Darren Beadman said the breakthrough was richly deserved.
"He's been unlucky so many times in group 1s," Beadman said.
"He's been deserving of the group 1 win for so many runs and the way this track panned out today with a good, strong speed up front, and Ben has the utmost faith in the horse, he rode him to perfection."
In claiming the AU$1 million contest, Angel Capital became the fourth group 1 scorer for Darley shuttler Harry Angel—with all four being bred in Australia and New Zealand.
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Autumn Glow Shines in Seven Sunrise Stakes
Meanwhile at Randwick Racecourse, Waller's Autumn Glow put some icing on her new Australian Horse of the Year title by proving her champion qualities again with a stirring victory in Saturday's Seven Sunrise Stakes (G2).
Scaring off enough rivals to leave only a five-horse field competing for AU$1 million, and starting at her shortest quote to date of AU$1.16, Australia's latest wonder mare was taken to the lead—in another career first.
James McDonald allowed her to stride at a moderate tempo, while Nash Rawiller on second favorite Gringotts applied a little pressure outside the hulking mare's rump.
Gringotts pushed up alongside Autumn Glow before the turn as third elect Ceolwulf made his run, and for a moment turning for home it appeared the two geldings might give Autumn Glow a battle.
But McDonald first let the mare balance up under hands and heels riding, and with one flick of the whip at the 250 meters she burnt off her pursuers, coming away after a couple of extra reminders to score comfortably by 1 1/4 lengths. She completed the 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) in 1:33.78 on good going.
Autumn Glow's Chris Waller stablemate Aeliana atoned for her first-up flop in the Winx Stakes (G1) by working home well for second, with Ceolwulf third.
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