Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Chris Waller admits Angel Capital is the horse he “gets defensive about” as he searches for a group 1 win to seal the talent’s future at stud.
And the champion trainer believes a good run in the group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) on Saturday will go a long away to ending that hunt – and the questions – at his next start.
Entering his five-year-old season, the Yulong-owned entire has placed three times at group 1 level for Waller, after coming from Clinton McDonald’s stable, where he won four times at a lower level.
The son of Harry Angel won on debut for Waller at listed grade and has promised much more since, often rattling home too late to tease and frustrate punters.
Angel Capital’s racing manners are often blamed, but Waller believes he is improving and needs the right tempo and luck to break through. He believes a solid hit-out on Saturday will have him primed for the group 1 Winx Stakes (August 22) or, more likely, the Memsie Stakes (August 29) at Caulfield over 1400m.
“He’s the one I get defensive about because I just think he’s a lovely horse that keeps making progress, and I just see the things that go against him, more than the things he does wrong,” Waller said.
“I just think he’s steadily maturing and steadily improving, and I think it’s important he runs here and runs well, because he’s a colt but also I think it gives him his chance in a group 1 race over 1400m.
“He’s been great and if anything, I do think he is getting two per cent better each start.
“We’re eight starts into his career since I’ve had him and he’s almost 20 per cent better.”
Angel Capital was a $2.60 favourite for the eight-horse Missile and Waller believed the small field and handy draw in gate three would be key.
“He’s going to have to be good to win a Winx or a Memsies, so it’s a good starting point,” he said.
“It’s a good draw and I don’t think he has to get back to last. He goes back because we need cover from wide draws, so a lot of times from wide draws he’s back.”
Waller holds a strong hand in the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m), where Tazima was the $2.15 favourite after three consecutive wins.
“He’s won with authority his last couple and he’s pretty versatile on tracks, and this distance is just perfect, so no excuses. He should be very hard to beat,” he said.
Matusalem ($7.50) and Elliptical ($21) are his other chances.
“He’s racing well and he’s finally up to a distance that suits. Good draw and track conditions suit,” he said of Elliptical.
“Matusalem, his first-up run was great. He had a trial last week, so he’s ready for 1800 second up.”
Top jockey James McDonald takes over on Tazima from champion apprentice Siena Grima, who has four wins from five rides on the gelding. Grima instead rides Matusalem.
“Tazima is our top seed, and unfortunately that’s why Siena is not riding him because James is our top seed,” he said.
“She has a great record on the horse, but she still gets a ride in the race.”
