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 big saluting for the punters within the 2024 Spring Champion Stakes at Royal Randwick. Photograph: 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 via Ladbrokes to do the double for the primary time since Ace Excessive (2017).
Coach Anthony Cummings and jockey Josh Parr celebrated in model, 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 superbly, surging previous rivals and asserting his dominance inside the ultimate 300m.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Henlein put up a valiant battle, pushing El Castello to the end.
Nonetheless, El Castello’s superior stamina proved too good, permitting him to safe the victory for the punters.
The Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained Agency Settlement, who impressed along with his pre-race look, delivered a stunning 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’ Good 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 the moment 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 as we speak, the choice is sure,” Cummings informed the media.
“However we’ve acquired to get him house and guarantee that he’s OK and tick a good few containers earlier than we do this.
“However that was the plan. The preparation was arrange in order that as we speak’s race would give him the step to go to the Derby. Seems to be like that may 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
5
DUVANA
Chris Waller
Joao Moreira
0
Desk Credit score: Racing Australia.
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