Last week’s Flight Stakes winner Never Been Kissed will take her place in Saturday’s $1 million Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick hoping to become the second horse in as many years to complete the double.
Meanwhile, Gloaming Stakes second placegetter Profondo has opened as the short-priced favourite, while trainer Chris Waller is hoping to win the three-year-old feature for a second time with Head of State.
There is a case to be made for more than a handful in this year’s field of 13, and our analysis on each runner can be found in our 2021 Spring Champion Stakes Preview here!
Head of State
Head of State burst into the clear to win the Gloaming Stakes in his fourth run back and appears well-suited getting out over further now.
Chris Waller’s three-year-old let down beautifully out wide under James McDonald and showed a real turn of foot to wear down Profondo in the final stages.
He’ll only be better for that run and will likely race to a similar pattern after drawing wide.
Profondo
Profondo looked home for all money two weeks ago in the Gloaming before a late shift towards the rail cost him against the fast-finishing Head of State.
The son of Deep Impact should take plenty away from what was only his second career start, and the way he found the line suggested he’ll handle 2000m now.
This is a big step up in class, but given the right ride from Robbie Dolan, he’s the rightful favourite with improvement to come.
Alegron
Alegron finally won his maiden at Newcastle back in August and has since returned from a freshen-up to just miss out on the placings in the Dulcify and the Gloaming.
The Godolphin galloper was squeezed between runners last time out but still made up good ground once clear to find the line for fourth.
Recent form reads well and Kerrin McEvoy has options from the low draw.
Benaud
Benaud is making his third career start following a brave performance for third in the Gloaming last time out.
The grey probably deserved to finish closer after the horse to his inside shifted across, but he still showed plenty once clear to suggest he’ll be a real threat over further.
The son of Reliable Man has plenty of class on his side and his claims are only strengthened with Hugh Bowman steering.
French Emperor
French Emperor finished only 1.5L third to Profondo on debut last month before going on to win his maiden by a comfortable margin at Goulburn.
He was the second-last horse to greet the judge in the Gloaming where he was swallowed up by a wall of horses down the straight.
Tough to know if 2000m will suit based on that, but the son of Tavistock is definitely capable of much better.
Raging Bull
David Payne won this race last year with Montefilia and looks a live chance to do the double with Raging Bull.
The gelding out of Bull Point returned a place in his first two starts at Rosehill before finally winning his maiden two weeks ago at Wyong over 2100m.
This is a significant step up in class, but he should appreciate dropping back in trip from a handy gate.
Inverell
Inverell won well on debut at Sale over the winter and has since resumed to finish down the straight in the Victoria Derby Preview at Flemington.
Needs to improve and will likely find this tough from the wide gate.
Patton
Patton won by a clear margin on debut at Pakenham but has mixed his form since.
The colt by American Pharoah battled on well for fifth in the Gloaming and has drawn an identical gate looking to improve
He’s rock-hard fit for four runs back but would need to produce something special.
Clyde
Clyde won his maiden two back at Newcastle and was seen doing his best work late for fourth last time out over the mile.
The Gary Portelli-trained three-year-old has been racing well this time in but is facing a much tougher assignment up in grade.
Satirical Glory
Satirical Glory scored by the narrowest of margins two back at Scone before struggling to make up ground from out wide in the Gloaming.
Cannot recommend.
Never Been Kissed
Never Been Kissed is on the short backup following last week’s boil-over win in the Flight Stakes over the mile.
The filly by Tivaci laid it down to Swift Witness out wide over the final stages and finished with plenty left in the tank when crossing the line.
She’s three-from-four so far in her career and will likely push forward and give her rivals something to catch.
Chill
Chill returns on the quick backup looking to improve on last week’s fifth in the Flight Stakes to Never Been Kissed
The Vancouver filly won her maiden four runs back on the Kensington track and has been thereabouts in her rise through the grades.
She’s yet to run a place in five starts at Randwick but could run a cheeky race here from the low draw.
Bulloo
Bulloo has missed the money only once from six starts and was the clear winner of the Toowoomba Guineas two weeks ago over the mile.
She’s drawn to enjoy a lovely run just off the speed, but this remains a big step up in class.
Spring Champion Stakes
2 Profondo at $3.50