Angel Capital breaks through for Group 1 glory in Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

Angel Capital has finally shed the tag of 'Group 1 bridesmaid' by clinching the prestigious Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield.

After finishing fourth as the $2.90 favourite in the 1400m contest last year, Angel Capital reversed the placings under a masterful Ben Melham ride.

The five-year-old gelding powered past last year's Sir Rupert Clarke winner, Sepals ($11), in the closing 100 metres to score by three-quarters of a length, with Angel Capital ($5) saluting.

Regal Award ($9.50), who had dictated terms from the outset, held on for third, a long-neck shy of the winner.

Initially prepared by Clinton McDonald at Cranbourne, Angel Capital was subsequently purchased by Yulong and transferred to the renowned trainer Chris Waller.

The Waller stable had considered a tilt at the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) next Sunday at Caulfield, but opted for Saturday's race after assessing Angel Capital's weight advantage.

Darren Beadman, a former champion jockey and representative for the Waller stable, conveyed the significant relief of the stable in seeing Angel Capital achieve Group 1 success.

"He's been unlucky so many times in Group 1's," Beadman commented. "He's been deserving of the Group 1 win for so many runs and the way this track panned out today with a good, a strong speed up front, and Ben has the utmost faith in the horse, he rode him to perfection."

Beadman emphasized the crucial role Melham played in guiding Angel Capital to his maiden Group 1 triumph.

Melham had been closely associated with Angel Capital during his time with McDonald, contributing to much of his early groundwork.

"He's shown a lot of faith and confidence in the horse," Beadman continued. "There wouldn't be too many jockeys that would have the key to unlock the gift that he's got, the horse. Benny's riding in career best form and looks strong and fit."

From their very first association, Melham had been an ardent admirer of Angel Capital's latent talent.

He piloted the now five-year-old to victories in the McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley and the Caulfield Guineas Prelude as a three-year-old. However, after Angel Capital's relocation to Waller's stable, Melham's rides on the horse were infrequent, though they did include Group 1 placings in the C F Orr Stakes and the Newmarket Handicap last season.

"We've sort of praised his ability from day dot," Melham shared. "I just knew today that it's the first time he's been in a suitable race where I thought everything would go to plan with the right conditions. Then we got here this morning, and they cut the track in half. Honestly, he needs all the track he can get, so I wasn't too happy about that, but we found a race with good speed. He got into a good rhythm, and obviously Chris is a master at setting these horses for these races. He looked a picture in the yard when I got on him, he gave a little pig root going out on the track and then he just rolled to the barriers beautifully in the zone. The ability's never been the question with him. He's a very good colt, as you've seen there today, but he's just so big and he's such a brute. He's not an easy horse to ride, but when things go his way, you've seen what he can do."

Check out the latest Australian betting sites for all the upcoming racing action.