Angel Capital ride goes to Jye McNeil for William Reid Stakes
The top job on Angel Capital in Caulfield's last Group 1 of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival has gone to Jye McNeil.
On Tuesday morning, McNeil visited Caulfield to breeze Angel Capital in preparation for Saturday's William Reid Stakes (1200m).
Due to ongoing track works at Moonee Valley, Caulfield steps in to stage this weekend's William Reid Stakes fixture.
McNeil has enjoyed a string of quality mounts lately courtesy of Chris Waller, and as Ben Melham heads to Sydney for a potential repeat Golden Slipper win on Streisand, McNeil takes over on the early runner-up in William Reid ante-post books.
Priced at $6 before Wednesday's entries close, Angel Capital trails only Jimmysstar at $1.90.
It was McNeil's debut partnership with Angel Capital, and he admired the horse's composed workout solo.
"He can look a bit tricky in his races, but this morning he was beautiful and relaxed and worked nicely," McNeil said.
"He's a nice horse and I'm grateful to be given the opportunity.
"He does like Caulfield and hopefully he can put his best foot forward on Saturday."
Having studied Angel Capital's footage, McNeil intends to discuss the four-year-old with Melham in the lead-up.
Previously with Clinton McDonald, Melham claimed three wins on Angel Capital as a three-year-old before the gelding moved to Chris Waller, and has ridden in three from four recent starts.
"Watching the replays, it looks like he can get a little bit strong, that's what I mean by a bit tricky, but this morning he never gave me that feel at all," McNeil said.
"The 1200 (metres) out of the chute at Caulfield, it shouldn't be a problem.
"I'll speak to Ben, potentially. He's been on him a bit and between now and Saturday I'll hopefully have a chat to him and see what he thinks.
"It's a good race, with the good horses there, but on his day, he's more than capable."
Over five Caulfield runs, Angel Capital has two wins and a second but remains unproven at the track's 1200m.
Most recently on March 7, Angel Capital was third in Flemington's Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
Head to the Australian betting sites to find racing odds for the William Reid Stakes.
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