Class colt El Castello continued his exceptional successful streak, capturing the celebrated Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
El Castello was large saluting for the punters within the 2024 Spring Champion Stakes at Royal Randwick. Picture: Steve Hart.
This dominant victory positions him because the early favourite for subsequent week’s Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington with the teenager into $4 by Ladbrokes to do the double for the primary time since Ace Excessive (2017).
Coach Anthony Cummings and jockey Josh Parr celebrated in fashion, securing their third Spring Champion Stakes wins apiece however their first mixed.
Parr expertly navigated El Castello ($3F), settling him comfortably in second the within earlier than making a decisive transfer within the straight.
El Castello responded fantastically, surging previous rivals and asserting his dominance inside the ultimate 300m.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Henlein put up a valiant struggle, pushing El Castello to the end.
Nevertheless, El Castello’s superior stamina proved too good, permitting him to safe the victory for the punters.
The Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-skilled Agency Settlement, who impressed along with his pre-race look, delivered a shocking late surge, securing third place at $21 to finish the Spring Champion Stakes trifecta on the again of a Gloaming third.
El Castello’s victory marks him because the second horse in three years (following Sharp ‘N’ Sensible in 2022) to finish the coveted Gloaming Stakes – Spring Champion Stakes double.
He additionally emerges as a robust contender for the 2024 Victoria Derby, with Ladbrokes at present itemizing him because the $4 favourite.
Whereas acknowledging the Derby because the plan, Cummings emphasised the significance of monitoring El Castello’s restoration.
“Standing right here right now, the choice is sure,” Cummings advised the media.
“However we’ve obtained to get him residence and guarantee that he’s OK and tick a good few packing containers earlier than we try this.
“However that was the plan. The preparation was arrange in order that right now’s race would give him the step to go to the Derby. Appears like that can occur.”
El Castello’s victory within the Spring Champion Stakes provides one other chapter to the race’s wealthy historical past.
His potential pursuit of the Spring Champion Stakes – Victoria Derby interstate double might additional solidify his place in Australian racing lore.
2024 Spring Champion Stakes Outcomes
| End | No. | Horse | Coach | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Beginning Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | EL CASTELLO | Anthony Cummings | Joshua Parr | 7 | 56.5kg | $3F | |||
| 2 | 3 | HENLEIN | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Tommy Berry | 0.36L | 1 | 56.5kg | $5 | ||
| 3 | 4 | FIRM AGREEMENT | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Tom Sherry | 1.78L | 9 | 56.5kg | $21 | ||
| 4 | 8 | HARLEM QUEEN | Nathan Doyle | Sam Clipperton | 1.99L | 6 | 54.5kg | $8 | ||
| 5 | 10 | PLEASURE ARTIST | Richard & Will Freedman | Jason Collett | 2.16L | 4 | 54.5kg | $10 | ||
| 6 | 2 | SWIFTFALCON | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Jay Ford | 3.36L | 10 | 56.5kg | $3.80 | ||
| 7 | 9 | RAG QUEEN | David Payne | Chad Schofield | 3.9L | 5 | 54.5kg | $14 | ||
| 8 | 11 | NOISES | Brad Widdup | Andrew Adkins | 4.41L | 8 | 54.5kg | $61 | ||
| 9 | 7 | FLYING ARGENTO | Gary Portelli | Zac Lloyd (a) | 7.08L | 2 | 56.5kg | $101 | ||
| 10 | 6 | DUE CALZINI | Danielle Seib | Kerrin McEvoy | 8.52L | 3 | 56.5kg | $101 | ||
Desk Credit score: Racing Australia.
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