Tommy Berry’s decision to cut his holiday short to ride Castillo King at Warwick Farm has been handsomely rewarded, with the colt making an impressive debut.
The top Sydney hoop had not been in action since the Tattersall’s Tiara meeting at Eagle Farm on June 27 and was not slated to return to the saddle until this weekend.
However, when he discovered that Farnan’s progeny, Castillo King, was entered in Wednesday’s Racing And Sports Plate (1100m), Berry promptly adjusted his plans.
“I probably wasn’t going to come back until Saturday, but when I saw him in I didn’t want to forgo that ride,” Berry said.
“He’s a smart colt. He’s got a great attitude, and he will appreciate getting over a little bit further. He was out of his comfort zone the whole way trying to hold that box seat, but I loved what I saw late.
“Now the pressure is off, he’s done it, and he ran good time. He was put under really good pressure, so the sky is the limit.”
Castillo King, a $180,000 purchase from Inglis Classic Sale, is prepared by Michael Freedman, a renowned trainer of two-year-olds.
Michael Freedman’s stable representative, Sophie Johnson, stated that the young horse had demonstrated talent from the outset and performed exceptionally well to defeat several more experienced rivals, including the runner-up Eviction Notice, who had previously placed in the Silver Slipper.
“We knew Eviction Notice was going to be a bit tricky. Being one of Gai’s (trainer Gai Waterhouse’s) and with Rachel (King) on board, it’s speed all the way, and a few others had some runs under their belts as well,” Johnson commented.
“It was really good to see. He’s been a professional horse from day one. He’s not a problem being a colt, and he handles himself really well.”
Johnson confirmed that the Listed Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill on August 15 is being considered for Castillo King, depending on how he recovers from his win.
“All being well. It’s definitely a race that’s on the cards for him but it can go anyway with horses,” she stated.
Castillo King, the $2 favourite, was strong to the line, winning by 3-1/4 lengths. Eviction Notice ($2.60) claimed second place, with Maritime Magnate ($21) a further three-quarters of a length behind in third.
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