Missile Stakes: Angel Capital readies for early season assault

A swift return is on the cards for Angel Capital, who is set to contest the season's inaugural stakes race in Sydney as he gears up for a potentially campaign-defining run.

Trainer Chris Waller has indicated that the five-year-old gelding will be nominated for the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick next Saturday, with current plans pointing towards participation.

"Angel Capital will run next week in the Missile, then he can go second up into a Group One. The Memsie or the Winx Stakes," Waller commented. "He's well suited at the set weights and penalties, where the others probably aren't, and he's got a bit more speed. (A horse like) Autumn Glow gets too much weight. He's come back well. Mentally he's great. There's no reason why he can't keep going for another year."

Having finished in the top three at Group 1 level on three occasions, including a second place behind Jigsaw in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in March, Angel Capital is being prepared with the objective of claiming a maiden Group 1 victory this spring.

The valuable stallion prospect, raced by Yulong, has the opportunity to cement his future at stud by achieving this significant milestone.

By making an early appearance in the Missile Stakes, Waller is demonstrating his strategy to provide Angel Capital with a prime opportunity for Group 1 success when he steps out for his second start.

"He's a horse that needs to be rock-hard fit second-up at 1400 and he could win a Group One," he stated.

It is expected that Angel Capital will be Chris Waller's sole runner in the Missile Stakes. Adding to the intrigue, Doomben 10,000 placegetter Napoleonic, trained by John O'Shea and Tom Charlton, is also anticipated to make his seasonal debut in the same event and is poised to be a formidable rival after two strong barrier trial performances.

Check out leading Australian betting sites to get involved with the racing betting markets for the Missile Stakes.