Angel Capital as good as Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi ahead of Spirit Of Boom Classic: Clinton McDonald

Angel Capital is prominent in all two-year-old futures markets throughout the winter and trainer Clinton McDonald believes the colt could be one of the best he’s got his hands.

Angel Capital makes his first Queensland start on Saturday. Picture: Ross Holburt—Racing Photos via Getty Images.

Angel Capital could be the best horse Clinton McDonald has ever got his hands on, but the Victorian trainer has warned the one chink in his armour could come at Doomben on Saturday.

The colt was one of the most impressive two-year-old winners of the season on debut at Cranbourne last month to rocket himself into Group 1 contention, however, McDonald says Saturday’s Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) is far from his grand final, as he dares to dream of the JJ Atkins on June 15.

With Jamie Kah riding on Saturday, her partner Ben Melham made a flying visit to Brisbane on Tuesday to gallop Angel Capital on the heavy Doomben course proper, where he passed with flying colours.

🏇🎉 What a thrilling debut!
Angel Capital left jaws dropped, charging from second last to seize victory at Cranbourne over 1000m! 🥇 Hats off to trainer @cmcdonaldracing and the skilled ride by jockey @jamieleekah07 for steering this colt to triumph! pic.twitter.com/6DYjZ1uFaQ

— Upper Bloodstock (@UpperBloodstock) April 27, 2024

Jamie Kah will ride Angel Capital at Doomben on Saturday. Picture: Ross Holburt — Racing Photos via Getty Images.

McDonald, who has based himself on the Gold Coast for the winter months, believes Angel Capital is as good as Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi and has the racing world at his feet.

“We have known for a long time that he is a quality colt, we are pretty excited by it all,” said McDonald said, who has also had an association with the likes of Weekend Hussler.

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“He hasn’t worked with Hayasugi, but I know where he sits in the scheme of things (he is up there with her).

“Whatever he does on Saturday, he will improve ten-fold. We were always going to have this run before the two big ones, this is probably his vulnerable run.

Hear from trainer Clinton McDonald at Doomben trackwork this morning. He has the highly promising Angel Capital running in Saturday’s Spirit Of Boom Classic. Jamie Kah rides 👇@TrentonAkers@bendorries76@BrisRacingClub@[e-mail]/1GsgvkvnxH

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) May 13, 2024

“Going to Doomben for the first time over 1200m, I wanted to give him the experience going that way before we go to the two main ones that he is targeting.”

Angel Capital is second favourite to Godolphin’s Broadsiding in both $1m features the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce (1400m) and Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m), with McDonald confirming Melham is set to take the reins when he is back from an injury lay-off.

“He has had plenty of preparations, this horse, it’s not like this is all his first time, he has been in and out a few times,” he said.

“We trialled him twice last time and tipped him out, so he is pretty seasoned, he has done the work and has a really good tank.”

It comes as McDonald revealed Hayasugi would begin her Group 1 Golden Rose preparation in Queensland, with the filly set to fly to the Sunshine State on June 1.

Originally published as Angel Capital as good as Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi ahead of Spirit Of Boom Classic: Clinton McDonald