Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 13 runners for the $1,000,000 Spring Champion Stakes with four colts, six geldings and three fillies. Seven of them had their last start in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes over 1800m on 25 September and two of the fillies had their last start in the Group 1 Flight Stakes over 1600m on 2 October. Two runners are sired by American Pharaoh and trainer David Payne has two runners.

The early favourite is Profondo who has had two starts for a Kensington maiden win and then a close 2nd in the Gloaming Stakes where he wasn’t fully tested. Second favourite is Head Of State who was the winner of the Gloaming. Third favourite is filly Never Been Kissed who won the Group 1 Flight Stakes last outing, making her the only Group 1 winner in the field.

Alegron came from well back in the Gloaming to finish 4th, while Benaud finished 3rd following a 1400m win in a Nowra maiden. Chill kept chasing for 5th in the Flight Stakes. Inverell battled steadily along the rails to finish 9th in the Derby Trial at Flemington , while French Emperor finished 13th in the Gloaming Stakes.  All other runners are currently 25 to 1 or longer.

1. Head Of State

One of two colts sired by American Pharoah (the other is Patton). Trained by Chris Waller, he has two wins and a place from seven starts. He chased hard to prevail in the latter stages for a 0.4 length win in the Gloaming Stakes and the extra 200m will probably suit him. Should be in the finish.

2. Profondo

This Deep Impact colt trained by Richard Litt  has only had two starts. He went from a 1400m maiden win at Kensington on debut to a close second in the Gloaming Stakes last start when his lack of inexperience proved costly. Looks to have lots of ability and is one of the main chances.

3. Alegron

From the Godolphin stable this Teofilo gelding came from well back and kept chasing for 4.1 lengths 4th in the Gloaming. It was a good run but the three runners who finished ahead of him are all in this race.

4. Benaud

This grey colt trained by John O’Shea is one of three runners that have only had two race starts. He debuted with a strong 1.5 length win over 1400m at Nowra on 10 September, then was looking for a run straightening and kept chasing when a split came to finish 4 lengths 3rd in the Gloaming. Looks an improving type and can place.

5. French Emperor

One of two runners for David Payne this Tavistock gelding was a 1.93 length winner of a Goulburn maiden at his 2nd start with the best overall race sectionals. He then went to the Gloaming where he ran 8,8 lengths 13th. In that race he was slowly away, raced too keenly in the early stages, was looking for a run straightening and was hampered and crowded at the 200m. Could have been very different if he had settled early.

6. Raging Bull

The other David Payne runner. Last start he was a 3 length winner of a 2100m maiden plate at Wyong. No other runner has won over longer than 1800m so that is a factor in his favour.

7. Inverell

This Shocking gelding is the first Group 1 runner for trainer Clayton Douglas who was a former jumps jockey. He debuted with a 1.75 length win at Sale then battled away for 6.4 lengths 9th in the Derby Trial over 1800m at Flemington. Has drawn the outside barrier. Rough chance.

8. Patton

Trained by Team Hawkes, this American Pharoah colt has had seven starts for one win and one place and has drawn the inside barrier. He finished 5 lengths 5th in the Gloaming Stakes at his most recent start.

9. Clyde

This Maurice gelding trained by Gary Portelli has one win and a place from five starts. He followed a 0.5 length win in a maiden handicap over 1400m at Newcastle on 17 September with 2.8 lengths 4th in a Class 1 over 1600m at Newcastle on 2 October. On a seven day back-up. This looks too tough.

10. Satirical Glory

Won a Scone maiden on 7 September before 9th in the Gloaming. Would need to improve a lot to feature here.

11. Never Been Kissed

This Tivaci filly trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott has won three of her four starts. She chased hard to get there in the final stages for a 0.3 length win in the Group 1 Flight Stakes over 1600m at Randwick on 2 October. That makes her the only Group 1 winner in the field. Her breeding suggests the extra 400m won’t be a problem and the stable is  very strong at the moment. Fillies don’t often win this race but Montefilia did it last year after winning the Flight Stakes, and I think Never Been Kissed could do the same.

12. Chill

With nine starts under her belt, this Vancouver filly trained by Anthony Cummings has had more racing than any of the other runners. She followed 2.6 lengths 5th in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes with 3.3 lengths 5th in the Flight Stakes. Not the worst.

13. Bulloo

This Written Tycoon filly trained by Stuart Kendrick in Queensland has three wins and two places from her six starts. At her latest start she won the 1625m Toowoomba Guineas 3YO Plate by 1.8 lengths. Can make her presence felt.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
11 Never Been Kissed
1 Head Of State
2 Profondo
4 Benaud

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	2 Profondo
2nd	11 Never Been Kissed	2.18 lengths
3rd	3 Alegron	2.7 lengths
4th	10 Satirical Glory	3.99 lengths

The track was rated as Good 3.

Scratchings: 12. Chill.