Whilst the sprinter/miler 3yo’s are in Melbourne contesting the G1 Caulfield Guineas, those more inclined to staying trip, will be on display at Randwick in the Spring Champion Stakes. Savvy Nature, winner of the G3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle two runs back, holds the call over Rock Hero and Complacent, both at $5.00. The only other runner under double figures is Drago at $7.50.
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Spring Champion Stakes Form Guide
1. CRITERION – B Avdulla (7)
After a couple of average runs since resuming from a spell, the Sebring colt was back to something like the form that saw him win the G2 Todman Stakes as a 2yo last start, finishing a head behind Eurozone in the G2 Stan Fox Stakes (1600m). That run will give him some much needed confidence heading into this race and Eurozone has been in solid form this prep.
2. FUERZA – N Berry (12)
After consistent efforts, in good races as a 2yo, he was taken to Newcastle two starts ago (at career start number ten) where he finally broke his maiden status with victory in a Newcastle Maiden. Since that win, he’s struggled in both the G3 Spring Stakes (1600m) and G3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) finishing tenth and fifth respectively and on those efforts, it is too hard to see him winning here.
3. VILANOVA – J Ford (10)
Like his stable-mates Boban and Zoustar, this son of Commands showed good form over the Brisbane winter carnival as indicated by his second to Zoustar the G2 Sire’s Produce (1400m). Unlike his stable-mates though (both G1 winners since), he has struggled since returning from last campaign with his most recent run being a plain effort behind Rock Hero when eighth (beaten 4.5 lengths) in Listed Dulcify Quality (1800m). Couldn’t have him on that and recent efforts.
4. SAVVY NATURE – J Cassidy (8)
This promising colt by Savabeel will be out to emulate his sire, who was successful in this race back in 2004. Judging by his strong win in the G3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle over their two day carnival and, his strong finishing head second to Complacent last start in the G3 Gloaming Stakes, he will certainly go close. He was last and had to come wide on the turn in the Gloaming, whilst the winner was afforded a good run along the fence. Could not be in better form for this race.
5. COMPLACENT – C Reith (1)
This son of Commands will be out to secure Darley their fourth Spring Champion Stakes in the past ten years (Erewhon, Sousa and Niello) and given his last start head win over Savvy Nature in the Gloaming Stakes, he is peaking at precisely the right time. Jumping from a 1400m maiden at Hawkesbury to the 1800m of the Gloaming proved to be no obstacle for the son of Commands, who after a lovely run in transit, was strong to the line. Can only be better for having had that experience over a distance and will get every chance again from barrier one.
6. DRAGO – P Robl (9)
Promising stayer who, after a fair effort second up in the G1 Golden Rose (1400m) when ninth (4.2 lengths) behind Zoustar, stepped up in distance to the 1800m of the Gloaming Stakes last start. As always, he settled at the tail of the field before making his run wide from the 600m and joining the leaders shortly after straightening. Whilst he stuck on well, he wasn’t able to match the finishing efforts of Savvy Nature and Complacent and finished third, three lengths away. Fancy he’ll improve with that run and he won over 1800m fourth up last prep. He can turn the tables on the two who beat him last start.
7. HOOKED – T Bell (3)
The son of Casino Prince has run fourth at each of his past three starts since resuming from a brief spell. His latest effort was in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) where he found himself in some traffic at the top of the turn and by the time he was clear, Savvy Nature and Complacent had made their winning moves. Will get a good run from his draw and the chance to make up the beaten margin of 4 ½ lengths of last start.
8. ROCK HERO – G Schofield (6)
After an impressive 6 ¼ length win in a BM 69 (1500m) at Canterbury, the son of Fastnet Rock was sent out a sold 5/2 quote for the Listed Dulcify Quality (1600m) last week. However punters who took the short price, would have collectively held their breath as he reared at the jump, missing the start by several lengths. He railed up to be behind the leader in the straight before shouldering his way clear and finishing hard to grab Liberty’s Choice right on the line. It was an impressive performance to say the least and the 2000m here should pose no problems at all.
9. EQUATOR – B Shinn (13)
Resumed as a 3yo with a 4.4 length nine of fourteen behind Va Pensiero in the G3 Run To The Roses (1400m) before having a month off and then stepping out in the Listed Dulcify Quality (1600m). He was allocated 59kgs and from a wide gate, settled on the pace. The son of Northern Meteor fought on very well given he was second up and off a month’s break to finish 1 ¾ lengths third behind Rock Hero. Meets all in the Dulcify much better at the weights and last start could have only been of benefit to him from a fitness perspective. The draw is an awkward one, but will go forward and capable of proving hard to run down.
10. LIBERTY’S CHOICE – T Huet (5)
Well bred Redoute’s Choice colt who has been consistent this time in, winning one of his four starts and finding Rock Hero too good at both of his most recent outings. He led in the Dulcify Quality (1600m) and was only caught right on the line by the impressive Rock Hero, running a head second. He’ll lead out again but hard to see him holding out Rock Hero again plus, a few others.
11. THUNDER FANTASY – J Collett (11)
Returned form a break to record a strong two length win in a Hawkesbury Maiden (1400m) and backed that up with a better effort in a Newcastle Class 1 (1600m), winning by five lengths. With those two runs under his belt, trainer Anthony Cummings entered the colt by Lucky Owners in the Listed Dulcify Quality (1600m) where he started the 2/1 favourite. He found a nice spot in the run from a wide gate and was afforded his chance in the run but found the place-getters too strong late and ran fifth, beaten 2 ½ lengths. Poor draw would make his task in this race, tougher again.
12. FAST DRAGON – P Taylor (14)
New Zealand runner who, after winning the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) in his home-land back in April, was spelled and sent to Australia to contest some of the leading 3yo races. He made his Australian debut in the G3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) but was easily accounted for, running second to last. Subsequent runs in the G3 Ming Dynasty and G3 Gloaming Stakes have produced similar efforts and on that form, it’s impossible to consider him a live chance.
13. SHIKRA – J Parr (2)
Broke his maiden status two starts ago (at his fourth career start) with victory in a Newcastle Maiden (1500m). The Darley representative then made the significant jump, in both distance and class, when next stepping out in the G3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m). He ran into a bit of a dead-end at the top of the straight and should’ve finished closer than the 8 ½ lengths eighth that he did. Christian Reith has ridden him in each start this prep but didn’t hesitate to leave him here for stable-mate Complacent when the opportunity arose.
14. MOUNTAIN VIEW – T Clark (4)
Half brother to former top-liner Gee I Jane, this colt is by High Chaparral and trained by John Sargent. He has indicated some staying ability with victory in a Hawkesbury Maiden (1800m) last start under the steadier of 58kgs. The trip will pose no problems for him but the class, at this early stage of his career may.
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OVERVIEW
The Gai Waterhouse trained pair of Equator and Liberty’s Choice go forward with Hooked, Rock Hero and Shikra all handy from good gates. The Gloaming Stakes is always a good form reference for this race and both Complacent and Savvy Nature had three lengths to spare on their opponents in that race. Throwing the balance in favour of Savvy Nature here though is the draw. Not sure where Complacent will be from his inside gate during the run whilst Savvy Nature, who will be ridden by Jim Cassidy who is looking for his 100th Group 1 win, will be mid-field and in space. He’ll finish strong down the centre of the track and is deserved favourite. His biggest danger comes in the shape of Rock Hero. Last start’s official winning margin was only half a head but had it not been for a poor start and having to find room in the straight, he would’ve won by a much greater space and be a much shorter quote than his current price of $5.00. Equator will be a big improver, third up from a spell, at good each-way value and can’t leave Drago out, who has always promised to win a race such as this.
- ROCK HERO
- SAVVY NATURE
- DRAGO
- EQUATOR
