Hat-trick for Havana Gold colt El Caballo

Havana Gold's three-year-old son El Caballo completed his hat-trick in smooth fashion at Newcastle on Wednesday and looks a Group sprinter in the making.

After pushing the subsequent Gr.3 winner and Gr.1-placed Armor to within a length on his debut last April, El Caballo readily made all at Carlisle in May.

He returned with a bang in December, beating Navello by three lengths stepped up to six furlongs at Wolverhampton.

He then lined up against Listed winner Canonized and Listed-placed Hellomydarlin, beating them both smoothly from the front, despite strong winds at Newcastle. El Caballo was ridden by Clifford Lee for trainer Karl Burke and owners Grange Park Racing XVIII & OfO Partners.

El Caballo could ultimately be one for the 3 Year Old All-Weather Championships Conditions Stakes at Lingfield on Good Friday. He looks another very smart racehorse for his sire Havana Gold.

Karl Burke told the Racing Post: "He's a lovely horse, he's a very relaxed and lazy type, you wouldn't know what's left under the bonnet.

"Unforunately he got a little injury after he broke his maiden at Carlisle so we had to sit still with him, and the owners have been very patient.

"He's got a good chance of being Group class. All being well, he'll go down to Lingfield a week on Saturday. After that he'll definitely head back to Newcastle for Good Friday, as he's qualified for that.

"On the turf we'll just see where we are. He'd certainly be worth a trial for the Commonwealth Cup or he might develop into a Jersey horse."

El Caballo is out of Showcasing mare Showstoppa and was bred by Whitsbury Manor Stud, who sold him as a yearling to Luke James for 17,000gns. He was sold by Battlefield Stud for just £30,000 to Karl Burke as a yearling.