Australian Guineas favourite Angel Capital ‘very slick’ in exhibition gallop at Sandown

Trainer Clinton McDonald can’t wait for next week’s Group 1 Australian Guineas after favourite Angel Capital “went terrific” in a hitout at Sandown.

Angel Capital (left) shades stablemate Acid Wash in a gallop at Sandown on Wednesday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Favourite Angel Capital has tuned up for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) with an ominous exhibition gallop at Sandown.

Angel Capital, trained by Clinton McDonald, shaded stablemate Acid Wash in the midweek workout under a strong hold from jockey Ben Melham.

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“The work was very slick,” McDonald said.

“They worked to the line well and both horses are going terrific.

“He needed to have a strong gallop because he’s done that well since his first-up run.

“It was an ideal scenario to bring him here and put him under race-day conditions.

“Being at the races with the noise and just get his juices flowing.”

Angel Capital is a $3.50 favourite for the Australian Guineas on March 1 at Flemington from Group 3 CS Hayes winner Sepals ($5.50).

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McDonald opted for an exhibition gallop over a jumpout last Monday to give Angel Capital a bit more time to recover from the run.

“I thought he’d get more benefit coming here and getting pumped up a little bit,” McDonald.

“We achieved that goal today and it’s all systems go to Saturday week.”

Australian Guineas favourite Angel Capital took out today's exhibition track gallop against Acid Watch at Sandown 👇 pic.twitter.com/OFrQhWbXWe

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Angel Capital roared to victory first-up in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

“He’s a different horse this time in, that long spell he had after the (Caulfield) Guineas it’s given him that chance to furnish and grow into the horse he’s grown into,” McDonald said.

“He’s a magnificent looking colt and has got plenty of presence about him, we can’t wait to get him to the Australian Guineas.”

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Angel Capital will carry the Yulong green and white silks in the Australian Guineas after being acquired by the racing and breeding giant as a future stallion prospect.

“We’re very grateful for Yulong to get on board and buy such a lovely colt,” McDonald said.

“Now it’s up to us to get the job done and I’m pretty confident we will.”

Originally published as Australian Guineas favourite Angel Capital ‘very slick’ in exhibition gallop at Sandown