Spring Stakes Goals for El Castello

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday September 4

Anthony Cummings is never frightened to set the bar high for a promising horse and his Castelvecchio three year-old El Castello kicked his spring campaign off with a maiden win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday that is likely to pave the way for a return to stakes class.

Third on debut at Warwick Farm back in April and then a gallant second to Broadsiding in the Listed ATC Fernhill Mile, El Castello closed out his autumn when unplaced on a bog track in the Group I ATC Champagne Stakes.

Spelled straight after that and then given three trials to bring him to peak fitness for his return, El Castello was strong to the line in a competitive maiden over 1400m scoring a tenacious head win.

“He’s a nice horse with a really bright future,” said Anthony Cummings.

“The plan was always to come here first and then we will have choices to make.

“We’ll probably go to a midweek Benchmark race and then look towards the Gloaming Stakes (G3 1800m October 18) and Spring Champion Stakes (G1 2000m October 26).”

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El Castello’s sire Castelvecchio won the Group I ATC Champagne Stakes at two and was then second in both the ATC Spring Champion Stakes and Cox Plate before returning in the autumn to win the Group I ATC Rosehill Guineas, so you can see why Anthony Cummings is keen get the colt out in trip.

El Castello was a $220,000 Magic Millions purchase from Cambridge Stud.

A $220,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Cambridge Stud draft, El Castello is the first winner from Word Games, a metro winning half-sister by Fastnet Rock to dual Group I winner Fiveandahalfstar, who was also bred and trained by Anthony Cummings to win the Victoria Derby and The BMW.

It’s a family Cummings knows well and El Castello looks a great chance to write his own chapter of success.

El Castello is the fifth first crop winner for Castelvecchio , who stands alongside his sire Dundeel at Arrowfield Stud at a fee of $22,000.

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Race Result - TAB Mdn Hcp 1400m

Warwick Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:22.50
1
El Castello
- 3c Castelvecchio (AUS) x Word Games (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: A J Cummings Rdr: J Parr 61.5
2
0.2
Monte Veebee
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x Snogging (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: R & L Price Rdr: A Hyeronimus 58.5
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $950,000
Seller: Silverdale Farm, Avoca
Buyer: KPW Bloodstock
3
0.4
Mr Artemisia
- 3c The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Sultry Dreamer (AUS) (Dream Ahead (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J R Collett 59
4
0.6
Johnny The Kid
- 3c Trapeze Artist (AUS) x I Got Chills (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: N Rawiller 58
5
1.2
Great White Shark
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Arabian Gold (AUS) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56
6
2
Tenbury Wells
- 3c Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Dowager Queen (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: Rachel King 55.5
7
2.4
Piperita
- 3f Pierata (AUS) x Pepperberry (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Sara Ryan Rdr: Reece Jones 54
8
3.6
Not A Worry
- 3g Almanzor (FR) x Our Drahma Queen (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: C Schofield 56
9
4.8
Tango Queen
- 3f Tivaci (AUS) x Facade (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: Tyler Schiller 54
10
5.3
Jayashree
- 3f Magna Grecia (IRE) x High Specs (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: A Adkins 55.5
11
20.2
Zamazing
- 3f Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Zonk (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: Craig Carmody Rdr: Ms W Costin 55
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