Gai Waterhouse has confirmed that El Divino will be set for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m), when the rising three-year-old returns to work during the forthcoming Spring Carnival.
El Divino (centre, white silks) will be set for the 2016 Caulfield Guineas. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
A half-brother to champion mare Winx, El Divino has only made two competitive appearances at the races to date, but has more than stamped himself as a colt to follow and approaches the 2016 Spring Carnival undefeated.
Waterhouse told Racing Ahead the colt has taken plenty of benefit from his time in the paddock and subsequent return to work, and believes he is will figure as a serious chance of success in the 2016 Caulfield Guineas.
“This is a very, very serious colt,” Waterhouse said.
“He’s a really exciting colt. He’s probably a hand a half bigger than any other two-year-old I have in training, he’s got a behind on him like a bus and a big cruising speed, very trying horse.
“He’ll certainly be targeted at the Caulfield Guineas.”
Waterhouse has not confirmed plans before or after the Caulfield Guineas, but said she would take into consideration a berth in the Cox Plate should his form live up to expectations.
“I don’t see him as a Derby horse but a great miler,” she said.
“A Cox Plate is very exciting, because it’s basically a speed race the Cox Plate.”
Out of prominent broodmare Vegas Showgirl, El Divino immediately stamped himself as one to watch when beating a number of notable runners to the line by close to two lengths in a Randwick trial prior to his racing debut in October last year.
Again trialling well in late February, El Divino made his racing debut in the More Than Just Winning Maiden (1000m) at Gosford on March 17th, and lived up to the hype with a dominant performance for a five length win.
Making a successful transition to black type company in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) on Day 1 of The Championships, El Divino produced an impressive late turn of foot to charge home and finish in a dead heat with Godolphin runner Astern.
Ladbrokes Australia is currently offering El Divino at $15 odds in early 2016 Golden Rose Stakes betting markets.
