Angel Capital earns shot at Caulfield Guineas after Prelude victory

Angel Capital will have his next test in the Caulfield Guineas after winning the Prelude thanks to a smart ride by Ben Melham

Angel Capital and Ben Melham stick close to the rail to win the Caulfield Guineas Prelude. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Star jockey Ben Melham would not be denied on Saturday in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) aboard Angel Capital, weaving a path to victory.

Melham turned for home in a “sticky spot”, in traffic with a lapful of horse underneath, but a smart move back towards the rail gave Angel Capital the open air needed to wind up.

Public Attention, wide and exposed at the top of the straight, stuck to the task boldly to run a close second from favourite Wanaruah overhauled in the concluding stages.

“He was a bit sticky coming into the corner,” Melham said.

“I was just waiting on a run and the inside wasn’t really my preference, but that’s where it opened up and I knew I had plenty of horse.

“I had to go there and his ability shone through at the finish.”

Clinton McDonald has a nice horse on his hands!

All roads lead to the Caulfield Guineas for Angel Capital!@cmcdonaldracingpic.twitter.com/XQlpUYwsbz

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 21, 2024

Angel Capital, trained by Clinton McDonald, will go straight to the Caulfield Guineas in three weeks.

McDonald could not rule out also the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes later in the carnival.

“Well, we know how to win both,” McDonald said.

“We did it with (Weekend) Hustler, so we might do it with this colt.

“He does things at home that only the real good ones do, and we’re pretty happy with him.”

Angel Capital firmed $11 to $7 with Ladbrokes for the Caulfield Guineas.

“We do think he’ll run a mile. Obviously, that was a great win, he had to get back to the worst ground and lost momentum,” McDonald said.

“The horses down the outside had the momentum. So, we think he’s a proper colt, he’s showing us that now.”

McDonald has Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi primed for the Group 1 Manikato Stakes on Friday night at The Valley while exciting Stanley Express will resume in a 1200m three-year-old handicap.

Originally published as Angel Capital earns shot at Caulfield Guineas after Prelude victory