Listed winner is Stakes horse #25 for Havana Gold
El Caballo became the 25th Stakes performer for Tweenhills sire Havana Gold when showing a granite-tough attitude to make all in the Listed Spring Cup at Lingfield on Saturday, the colt’s first try at pattern level.
El Caballo has now won his last four starts, and his only defeat came on debut when a length second to subsequent Gr.1-placed Gr.3 winner Armor on debut as a two-year-old.
He was usurped as favourite for the Listed Spring Cup by last week’s winner Witch Hunter but held that rival off by a length into second, with another recent winner, Anthem National, in third. Listed winner Canonized was one of four others behind them.
El Caballo was given an excellent ride by Sam James for trainer Karl Burke, owners Grange Park Racing XVIII & OfO Partners, and breeder Whitsbury Manor Stud.
El Caballo became the second colt by Havana Gold to win the Listed Spring Cup as Headway was victorious in the 2018 – with a contrasting, break taking last-to-first display – before being sold to continue his career in Hong Kong.
All options are open to El Caballo now, proven over seven furlongs but clearly with the speed to return to six, and connections are entitled to be thinking about the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup or Gr.3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Races likes the Gr.3 Pavilion Stakes at Ascot and Gr.2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock could feature on El Caballo’s agenda before then, as well as All-Weather Finals Day at Newcastle. He was an excellent buy for £30,000 as a yearling.
Havana Gold's versatility was highlighted when his son Cuban Cigar won the opening juvenile hurdle at Kelso on Saturday.
Havana Gold represents outstanding value at £12,500 (Oct 1st SLF) so do not hesitate to contact us to book your mare into his 2022 book!
