Spring Champion Stakes Tips - Swiftfalcon to appreciate the step up to the 2000m in the Spring Champion Stakes

Seven runners come out of the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) that was run at Rosehill on November 12. El Castello settled midfield in that race and found the front with 100m to go before winning by two lenghts from Swiftfalcon, going 5.5 lengths faster than standard benchmark. 

The runner-up settled back from the barrier and came home with the last 200m. Firm Agreement was 3rd, while Rag Queen (4th), Henlein (6th), Due Calzini (9th) and Duvana (10th) finished out of the placings. Of that group, Henlein is one that can improve as he drew wide and was posted back on what was a slow tempo. 

Pleasure Artist might have a bit of upside and comes into this with three weeks in between runs after filling the exacta behind Swiftfalcon in the Dulcify Stakes (1600m), producing the fastest last 200m to go 3.8 lenghts faster than standard benchmark. 

She is one of four fillies in the race alongside Rag Queen, Noises and Harlem Queen. The latter settled handy in the Flight Stakes (1600m), landing in the runner-up slot behind Lady Senandoah. The Newcastle galloper settled at the back and produced the fastest last 200m to go 2.3 lengths faster than standard. Noises comes out of weaker races and a win would surprise. 

Swiftfalcon is a clear top pick in the Spring Champion Stakes. The Gloaming Stakes is a solid guide for this race and the Team Hawkes galloper looks the best suited by the slight rise in trip to the 2000m, given how he closed off last time. The son of Exceedance was dominant the last time he raced at Randwick with a two-length win and should have time to wind up from back in the field. 

I suspect there might be a lack of speed in this race and am uncertain as to whether or not it will turn out to be a true 2000m test. Firm Agreement might push across from the draw, with only Noises in front of him to run down. The Anabel Neasham-trained galloper hit the front just a tad early in the Gloaming Stakes and was ran down by El Castello, while there wasn't much of a margin between him and Swiftfalcon. The son of Yes Yes Yes was stepping up from a Newcastle Maiden that day and should take improvement from the run.