El Castello stamps G1 Spring Champion Stakes qualities
The Spring Champion Stakes in a fortnight beckons for rising talent El Castello as trainer Anthony Cummings believes his victory in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes Rosehill to be the making of the stayer.
El Castello ($6.50) denied betting sites favourite Swiftfalcon ($2.60) by 1¾-length margin, who was an eye-catcher in the latter stages of the 1800-metre event, to notch a third win in as many runs this preparation with the Group 1 2000-metre feature worth $2 million for three-year-olds at Randwick now firmly in their sights.
“All of these runs have been like a training gallop towards the Spring Champion,” Cummings said.
“He’ll be better over 2000-metres and even better again in Melbourne.”
By 2020 Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) winning sire Castelvecchio, Cummings has no hesitation in backing his colt to continue the winning run.
“Today, I think, is probably the first time he’s really showed himself properly, professionally, and this day has been coming,” he added.
“I thought he was going well enough to win easier in each of those two races (before today), but it was him being himself, (and) that had him in front on the line but not really showing off, not really understanding what he’s here for.”
Following his Gloaming Stakes win, El Castello is at $4.50 across betting markets for the Spring Champion while Swiftfalcon maintains favouritism at $2.80.
Looking further forward, El Castello is an $11 chance for the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) to be run a week after the Randwick feature.
On Swiftfalcon, jockey Jay Ford said that barrier nine was of no assistance to the gelding.
“Obviously a victim of the gate today,” Parr said of barrier nine.
“The race got away on us a little bit. Nothing to take us into it, but he closed off really well.”
More Racing News
Darley australia to host retired godolphin colts tentyris and observer
A pair of Godolphin colts, each with two Group 1 wins under their belts, have ended their track careers and will stand at stud with Darley later this year.The decision to retire Tentyris and Observer was made public on Monday, seeing them allocated to Darley Australia's separate venues.By Street Boss,...
Ciaron Maher eyes four entrants for VRC St Leger
The champion stayer trainer Ciaron Maher counts one horse already locked in for Saturday's Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington, but he is pushing for substantially more involvement in the key event.Among the 28 declarations for the $200,000 2800-metre race are Awesome Artist, Noble Falcon, Intervened, and Tasmanian Derby champion...
New Zealand's Confesara eyes victory in Australasian Oaks
The track record of Roger James in capturing Australian Group 1 events for three-year-old fillies goes all the way back to the beginning of the 2000s, and he seeks to add to that tally this coming Saturday.Teaming up with co-trainer Robert Wellwood, the Kiwi conditioner has entered Confesara for the...
Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch
Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...
Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...
Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success
Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...
All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory
Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...
Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup
Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...