The Spring Champion Stakes is the feature race at Royal Randwick on Saturday and fifteen three-year-olds will seek Group 1 glory.
This is typically the most open Group 1 contest for three-year-olds every spring and that certainly looks to be the case again in 2020.
Spring Champion Stakes – Winner
No. 13 Montefilia – Bet Now: $3.30
Montefilia pulled off an upset win in the Flight Stakes last week, and I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish of this, an easier race.
The Kermadec filly has been a consistent performer for David Payne since debuting, and she has continued to improve with racing and as the bar has been raised.
She returned from a freshen up to finish fourth in the Tea Rose Stakes three weeks ago, but the way that she hunted down a good one in Hungry Heart last weekend was a true testament to her ability.
Out to 2000m looks as though it will suit, and she’s drawn to receive every chance from barrier 1.
Spring Champion Stakes – 2nd
No. 1 Cherry Tortoni – Bet Now: $6.00
Very impressive placement from Patrick Payne.
Cherry Tortoni was excellent during his short debut preparation, winning each of his first three career starts, including the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final.
He returned from a freshen up to fill the minors behind Crosshaven in the Listed Exford Plate, and was last seen running home well to finish second behind Glenfiddich in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at The Valley.
If that horse was going around in this race, he’d be an odds-on favourite, and the $6 available for Cherry Tortoni at publish looks a touch of overs.
Spring Champion Stakes – 3rd
No. 3 Love Tap – Bet Now: $3.40
Love Tap hasn’t put a hoof wrong since debuting and enters the Spring Champion Stakes undefeated, but it is another step up in class and I think that the two above might have a small class edge.
The Tapit gelding has recorded four wins from as many starts, breaking his maiden on debut at Nowra and making an ideal transition to black type company with a comfortable win in the traditional lead-up race, the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes.
Nash Rawiller stays in the saddle, and the horse needs only even luck from barrier 14 to figure in the finish.
Spring Champion Stakes – 4th
No. 5 Bucharest – Bet Now: $17.00
Blueblood Bucharest is drawn ideally (barrier 3) with James McDonald in the saddle, and he represents a competitive chance in the Spring Champion Stakes, at a price ($16 at publish).
By Deep Impact and out of Miss Finland, Bucharest won hist first two career starts at Newcastle, and while he did finish down the order at Warwick Farm third-up, he responded with a third-placing in the Gloaming Stakes last time out.
Fitter again and further out in trip, he does look up to the task.
Spring Champion Stakes Suggested Bets
- 3 Units straight out #13 Montefilia
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections above