John Thompson is content to launch El Castello’s current racing campaign with a fresh perspective, harbouring a quiet hope that the Group 1 winner still has untapped potential.
The journey has been frustrating for the connections of the five-year-old, who had marked himself as one of the better horses of his generation by winning the 2024 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and finishing fifth in the Victoria Derby (2500m) in the same year.
However, after failing to consistently live up to his early promise as a colt, he was gelded during his previous preparation, a procedure that did not deliver immediate results in his single subsequent start.
Now, having had the benefit of a spell in the paddock, Thompson observes that El Castello is showing promising signs that he wants to be a racehorse once more.
“He was gelded in work and for mine, it never works and didn’t,” Thompson said. “But being spelled, he was put out in a big paddock with three or four other horses and allowed to just be a horse and get back to nature. He’s come back, and his attitude is so much better. He’s just a normal horse now. His trials have been good. A couple of top jockeys have ridden him in the trials and at trackwork and all three have said he feels like he’s in great shape and ready to go.”
El Castello resumes in a strong renewal of the Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, a race featuring seven Group 1 winners amongst the eight starters.
Thompson anticipates the 1400-metre distance will be short of the horse’s best but is keen to see a positive return that reflects what the horse has been demonstrating on the training track.
“I think he needs to get to a mile, 2000 myself,” he commented. “The 1400 will be too short. He’s fresh and he normally runs well fresh, but I just want to see him run well and he’ll improve off the back of it.”
Thompson is also expecting significant improvement from Screen Icon in the Furious Stakes (1200m). She raced keenly near the speed in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) first-up before tiring to a midfield finish.
He indicated that the filly will receive a more conservative ride from new jockey Nash Rawiller this weekend, allowing her an opportunity to finish off strongly.
“I want her ridden a bit quieter,” Thompson said. “She’s got a good draw for once on Saturday so she’s going to get a lot better run. It should set up well for her, and we’ll know where we’re at.”
With the Tramway Stakes shaping up to be a competitive affair, consider checking out the latest racing odds at popular sports betting platforms.
