Castillo King, having debuted less than two months ago, is set to face some of the top contenders in his age category in the Run To The Rose. Jockey Tommy Berry believes the colt is capable, provided one condition is met.
The Michael Freedman-trained three-year-old has drawn barrier 12 from 13 for Saturday’s 1200m sprint. Against a strong field including Group 1-winning juveniles Fireball and Tron Bolt, Berry stated that it is critical for Castillo King to experience some luck in the early stages of the race.
“We had to ride him quiet from a poor alley last start and we were hoping he drew well this start because we wanted to be prominent on him,” Berry explained. “I’m just disappointed with the draw. I still wouldn’t think, this weekend, we’d ride him quiet, only for the fact he is there to run well.
“He’s been working well, so we’d want to still be positive on him and hope for a bit of luck. If we get the luck, he’s going to be right in the finish.”
Castillo King, who achieved an impressive win at Warwick Farm on debut in July, settled in the back half of the field when making ground for fourth behind Chilly Girl in the Rosebud (1100m) last month.
Freedman has elected to space the colt’s race starts, and Berry mentioned that Castillo King is an athletic individual who will handle running fresh in the Run To The Rose without issue.
“He’s not a big, gross horse so we weren’t worried about the month between runs with him,” he remarked. “He’s working really well at home. He had a few days in the paddock after his last run and he’s spot-on.
“He’ll have no excuses on the weekend bar bad luck, but if we get a bit of luck in the first furlong, I guarantee he’ll be in the finish.”
Although Berry has partnered Castillo King in his two career starts, he will ride Hidrix for the first time in the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m), another notable three-year-old feature race.
The Canonbury Stakes (1100m) victor resumed with a solid fifth place against older horses in benchmark grade last month. From barrier four, Berry indicated that Hidrix is drawn to receive every possible advantage.
“The barrier is probably imperative so he can get a nice run behind the speed,” he said. “His run was really good first-up when he went back to the inferior ground on the inside.
“I saw him the other morning and he’s in great order. He’ll appreciate the step up in distance as well.”
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