El Castello on Group 1 path

Emerging three-year-old El Castello completed a hat-trick of wins in grand style when he trounced his rivals in the G3 Gloaming Stakes over 1800 metres at Rosehill.The Cambridge Stud-bred son of Dundeel has made impressive progress this preparation with a first-up maiden success at Warwick Farm followed by a Midway win at Randwick before he claimed top honours in the age group feature over 1800 metres.El Castello has now deservedly earned a crack at the G1 Spring Champion Stakes in a fortnight’s time before a possible tilt at the G1 VRC Derby.“Each win that he’s had has been a training gallop toward the Champion Stakes. He’s improved every time and he’ll improve off this,” trainer Anthony Cummings said.“This was the first time he put a field away. He’s usually hanging around waiting for something to challenge him and it was a very good ride.”El Castello kept the leaders within his sights before rounding off strongly in the run home for rider Josh Parr.“He travelled really nicely in a beautiful position and showed a turn of foot that was obviously unparalleled,” he said.“I’m very pleased with him. He’s just taken the natural progression each time I’ve sat on him. I’m really pleased with this horse.“He’s got the perfect temperament for the 2000 metres and then possibly the Derby trip. If we can keep a lid on him, keep him nice and settled pre-race, we’re well and truly in business.”We sold El Castello to Cummings for A$220,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with his dam the Fastnet Rock mare Word Games.She is a half-sister to Fiveandahalfstar, who the Randwick trainer prepared to claim Group 1 titles in the BMW Stakes and the VRC Derby.Word Games produced a half-sister by Almanzor to El Castello last season and recently produced another filly by our son of Wootton Bassett before visiting Chaldean.