Trainer Clinton McDonald chose to give Australian Guineas favourite Angel Capital a full race day experience at Sandown instead of opting for a traditional jump-out at Cranbourne.
Angel Capital arrived at Sandown 90 minutes before an exhibition gallop, scheduled between races one and two on Wednesday. The colt showed some pre-workout nerves, sweating up before joining stablemate Acid Wash on the track.
Ridden by Ben Melham, the Yulong-owned colt edged out Acid Wash in a competitive gallop.
“It was fantastic work,” McDonald said.
“He needed to have a strong gallop because he had just done too well since his first-up run.
“It was an ideal scenario to bring him here, put him under race day conditions, being at the races, the noise, getting the juices flowing.
“He had a nice sweat before the gallop, which I thought he would because he was up on his toes, but the work was very slick.”
After winning the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8, Angel Capital sits atop the betting markets for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington next Saturday.
McDonald originally considered running the colt in a jump-out at Cranbourne on Monday but ultimately decided the race day setting would be more beneficial.
“I think he’s got more out of this,” McDonald said.
“At Cranbourne, he just trots down 800 metres and he’s at the trial, but today, he’s had a 45-minute float ride here and another 45-minute float ride home.
“It takes the juice out of him.
“He had a gallop on Saturday morning, and this will be his main piece of work leading into the Guineas.”
Purchased for $400,000 as a yearling, Angel Capital boasts an impressive pedigree, being a half-brother to Senor Toba and Berkeley Square.
Earlier this week, Yulong Stud announced the acquisition of Angel Capital, adding him to their roster of high-profile stallion prospects.
Yulong’s first stallion, Grunt, famously won the Australian Guineas in 2018.
“We’re very grateful for Yulong to get on board and buy such a lovely colt, now it’s up to us to get the job done at Group 1 level,” McDonald said.
“I’m pretty confident that we can.”
McDonald also confirmed that the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 8 remains under consideration for Angel Capital, depending on his performance in the Guineas.
