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.”
