The focus of spring racing may shift to The Valley for the Ladbrokes Cox Plate this Saturday, but Randwick in Sydney still offers a compelling Group 1 showdown with the 2024 Spring Champion Stakes for the three-year-old Derby hopefuls.
Gloaming Stakes winner El Castello is favourite to keep the wins coming in the Group 1 Spring Champion on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.
Anthony Cummings‘ in-form colt El Castello takes centre stage as the firming favourite in the markets on the $2 million, 2000m clash this weekend paying $3.70 for the win through Ladbrokes.
Coming off a strong victory in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m), which has proven a strong Spring Champion form line over the years, El Castello seeks a fourth consecutive turf triumph.
He’ll be ridden by Josh Parr from gate eight, with expectations high that he can handle the step up to 2000m based on the nearly two lengths he had to spare on the line over his closest rival in his Group 3 lead-up victory.
Gloaming Stakes runner-up, Swiftfalcon, presents a significant challenge looking to turn the tables in the Group 1.
Trained by Hawkes Racing, the class stakes winner has displayed impressive form with three wins in a row earlier including back-to-back wins this preparation before his second in the lead-up.
Jay Ford retains the ride for Swiftfalcon, who will be looking to overcome a wider draw in gate eleven and avenge his last defeat.
Swiftfalcon’s Spring Champion Stakes odds currently sit at $4 after he eased out from his former top spot in the markets.
The race – a key lead-up for Flemington’s Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival on November 2 – remains competitive with several other runners holding potential at longer odds.
Henlein, trained by Anthony & Sam Freedman, is another elect at $4.40 drawn the inside alley.
Ridden by Tommy Berry, Henlein will be aiming to improve on his sixth-place finish in the Gloaming Stakes.
Harlem Queen, trained by Nathan Doyle, is the best fancied of the fillies looking to be the first to salute since Montefilia in 2020.
With three fillies claiming victory in the Spring Champion Stakes since 2016, Harlem Queen will be striving to continue the trend.
She comes in at a current quote of $6 through Ladbrokes and will be ridden by Sam Clipperton.
The 2024 Spring Champion Stakes promises an exciting clash between talented three-year-olds.
With El Castello leading the charge, the race will be a compelling test for all contenders with many up over the 2000m distance for the first time.
This year’s edition has the potential to produce another champion worthy of the race’s prestigious history and the scheduled jump time on Saturday is for 4:00pm (AEDT).
2024 Spring Champion Stakes Field
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 328×111 | EL CASTELLO | Anthony Cummings | Joshua Parr | 8 | 56.5kg | 85 | ||
| 2 | 521×112 | SWIFTFALCON | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Jay Ford | 11 | 56.5kg | 80 | ||
| 3 | 13×626 | HENLEIN | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Tommy Berry | 1 | 56.5kg | 75 | ||
| 4 | 213 | FIRM AGREEMENT | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Tom Sherry | 10 | 56.5kg | 73 | ||
| 5 | 5388×510 | DUVANA | Chris Waller | Joao Moreira | 4 | 56.5kg | 66 | ||
| 6 | 38219×839 | DUE CALZINI | Danielle Seib | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 56.5kg | 59 | ||
| 7 | 6x8x683 | FLYING ARGENTO | Gary Portelli | Zac Lloyd (a) | 2 | 56.5kg | |||
| 8 | 34×112 | HARLEM QUEEN | Nathan Doyle | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 54.5kg | 86 | ||
| 9 | 13x6x074 | RAG QUEEN | David Payne | Chad Schofield | 6 | 54.5kg | 71 | ||
| 10 | 412 | PLEASURE ARTIST | Richard & Will Freedman | Jason Collett | 5 | 54.5kg | 70 | ||
| 11 | 8×2112 | NOISES | Brad Widdup | Andrew Adkins | 9 | 54.5kg | 66 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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