Five-timer in 3YO AW Final for Havana colt

Havana Gold colt El Caballo completed a fabulous five-timer in the Coral 3 Year Old All-Weather Championships Conditions Stakes over six furlongs on Good Friday…

El Caballo had won the Listed Spring Cup on his penultimate start and justified favouritism in the 10-runner Final at Newcastle by a short head from the previously unbeaten Tiber Flow. There was over three lengths back to the well-regarded Space Cowboy.

El Caballo showed the granite-tough attitude associated with his sire to hold off his nearest pursuer near the line in the hands of Clifford Lee for trainer Karl Burke and owners Grange Park Racing XVIII & OfO Partners. El Caballo was bred by Whitsbury Manor Stud, which stands Havana Gold’s Gr.1-winning son Havana Grey.

Now Timeform-rated 111+, El Caballo has Group-race options open to him in the coming months, potentially including the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

Burke said: “He’s a very good horse. I didn’t know if he was dossing in front or whether that was him, but Cliff (Lee) thinks he’s definitely better over the seven (furlongs).

“We’ll give him an easy two weeks and see, but I’d still be tempted to try him in something like the Gr.2 Sandy Lane (at Haydock) and just see if we can turn him into a Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup horse. A stiff six at Ascot would be pretty good for him.

“He’s easy enough to deal with once he’s out and about. He can be a bit miserable in the box and will have a bite and a kick at you – he’s a proper colt.

“I do think he’s a genuine Gr.3/Gr.2 horse, whether he’s better than that we’ll see.

“I know Maureen (Haggas) really likes the second and I think they’re two nice horses.”

El Caballo is an advert for his sire Havana Gold, who stands for a bargain £12,500 (Oct 1^st SLF) at Tweenhills. He was the leading UK-based sire of 2yos in 2021.