The Spring Champion Stakes, held over 2000m at Royal Randwick Racecourse, is a Group 1 race for three year olds and is worth $2m in prize money. The early season weight-for-age staying test has been won by some star 3YO’s in recent years including Profondo, who was victorious in last year’s edition.
Looking at the market for this year’s Spring Champion, Dabble has last start Caulfield Guineas runner up, Elliptical, favourite in an open affair at $4.20. Williamsburg and She’s Extreme are on the next line at $5.50, with Kiwi, Sharp ‘N’ Smart ($6.50) and Newcastle galloper, Promitto ($7.00), also in contention.
With a host of winning chances according to the market and every runner, bar one, facing the 2000m for the first time, this year’s Spring Champion Stakes looks a tough race. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Spring Champion Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Elliptical (1) – $4.20F
Jockey – Blake Shinn 56.5kg
Trainer – Anthony & Sam Freedman
Caught the eye at Sandown when finishing hard behind Bank Maur, before a super run in the Caulfield Guineas last start. Will get a nice run in transit from the inside draw, but has to handle Sydney way of going and the rise in trip. If he can cope with those minor hurdles he will be hard to beat.
2. Promitto (5) – $7.00
Jockey – Joshua Parr 56.5kg
Trainer – David Atkins
On the quick back up here after a tough effort against older horses in the Craven Plate last weekend. Looks as though the 2000m will be no issue off the back of that and he loves Randwick. Looks a top winning hope and any rain will only enhance his chances.
The race favourite Elliptical draws the ace in the upcoming Spring Champion Stakes.
1. Elliptical (1)
2. Promitto (5)
3. Sharp ‘N’ Smart (8)
4. Williamsburg (2)
5. Matcha Latte (7)
6. Owen County (11)[1/2]#Randwick pic.twitter.com/NFIJrlm1F8
— bet365 AUS (@bet365_aus) October 19, 2022
3. Sharp ‘N’ Smart (8) – $6.50
Jockey – Hugh Bowman 56.5kg
Trainer – Graeme Rogerson
Had to knuckle down hard last start to win the Gloaming at Warwick Farm. Always given the impression he would be suited over a trip and he handles all conditions. Was talk of him being aimed at this year’s Cox Plate, which hasn’t unfolded, but this race would be a nice consolation. Each-way chance.
4. Williamsburg (2) – $5.50
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 56.5kg
Trainer – Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou
Finished with a wet sail to take out the Dulcify two back before another strong closing effort in the Gloaming last start. Looks well suited up to 2000m now and will get a lovely trail from the low draw. Looks hard to beat.
5. Matcha Latte (7) – $13
Jockey – Tom Sherry 56.5kg
Trainer – Mark Newnham
Chased home Golden Mile in the Ming Dynasty two starts ago before being outbobbed in the Gloaming last start. Breeding suggests the distance should be no worries and he is yet to run a bad race in his career. In the mix.
6. Owen County (11) – $61
Jockey – Keagan Latham 56.5kg
Trainer – John Sargent
Finished midfield in both the Dulcify and Gloaming recently. Has always given the indication that he wants ground and is capable of improving up to 2000m here. Not the worst.
7. Conqueror (4) – $26
Jockey – Jason Collett 56.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Made steady ground last start behind Williamsburg over the mile. Step up to 2000m is a bit of a query for mine and he needs to find a couple of lengths on his recent efforts.
It’s the final Group 1 of the Everest Carnival with a fantastic supporting card!
Tune in this Saturday for all the action from Spring Champion Stakes day.
📲 🖥️ | CH528 and Sky Racing Active. pic.twitter.com/XmB6fqvrtx
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 18, 2022
8. Coppleson (3) – $61
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 56.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Got back and failed to make an impression last start in the Gloaming. Chased hard behind White Marlin, who has since won again, the start prior over 1800m. Probably needs to find on those efforts but should get a strong 2000m and handles all track conditions.
9. Manzoice (12) – $31
Jockey – William Pike 56.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Another who comes through the White Marlin race last start. Heads here a month between runs but has had the benefit of a 1250m barrier trial in between. Will need to run a career best to win this but should run out a strong ten furlongs.
10. Bunker Hut (6) – $61
Jockey – Regan Bayliss 56.5kg
Trainer – Michael Freedman
Ridden too far forward and whacked away ok last start in the Gloaming, off the back of some good provincial form. Gets the blinkers off and winkers on here to help him relax and if he’s ridden cold, could surprise at big odds.
11. She’s Extreme (10) – $5.50
Jockey – Glyn Schofield 54.5kg
Trainer – Anthony Cummings
G1 winning filly who ran a strong second in the Flight Stakes last start behind Zougotcha. Steps out to 2000m for the first time which is a bit of a question mark, but she’s a classy galloper who rarely runs a bad race and will be suited if the track is soft/heavy.
12. Renaissance Woman (9) – $11
Jockey – Rachel King 54.5kg
Trainer – Bjorn Baker
Relished the step up to 2000m last Saturday in the Ethereal at Caulfield, where she was a dominant winner. On the quick back up here suggesting she’s come through the run well and has the edge of having a start (and win) at the distance. Can win.
16 nominations for the $2 million Spring Champion Stakes.
Golden Mile likely runs Callander-Presnell. Foujita San, Coppleson and Pericles also nommed for The Vase.
Renaissance Woman might back up.
No Stylised, Political Debate or Brosnan. pic.twitter.com/7h6ENV2Qjo— Trav Noonan (@TravTurf) October 17, 2022
Final Word
A high quality field of three year olds will greet the starter in this year’s Spring Champion Stakes, and the majority of runners are in red hot form coming into the race. Doesn’t look like a lot of speed on paper, but with the majority of the field out to 2000m for the first time, the pace shouldn’t be too leisurely.
Going with the Ryan/Alexiou trained, Williamsburg, on top. He charged home to win the Dulcify here at Randwick two starts ago and was again strong to the line in the Gloaming last start. The 2000m looks ideal and he has a brilliant record at the track and on rain affected ground.
Was taken by the win of Renaissance Woman at Caulfield last Saturday. She got back off a moderate tempo and ate up the ground late to record a dominant win. Has the benefit of a run over the trip and looks a big danger.
She’s Extreme comes through the Flight Stakes which is a strong form line and will race on speed. If she can run out a strong 2000m she’s a definite winning chance, as is last start Caulfield Guineas runner up and race favourite, Elliptical. Include Promitto and Sharp ‘N’ Smart in exotics.
Spring Champion Stakes Tip
4. Williamsburg – Each-way ($5.50/$2.05)
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*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
