Spring Champion Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft – Heavy   Weather: Shower or two

Twelve runners have accepted for the $2,000,000 Spring Champion Stakes and there have been no early scratchings.

In its 51-year history, only three fillies have won the race, all within the last six years. Normally fillies don’t have a great record in this race, which doesn’t give much hope to this year’s fillies in She’s Extreme ($5.50) and Renaissance Woman ($9.50). 

General lead-up races are the Gloaming Stakes and Dulcify Stakes, and this race features the winners of both races in Sharp N Smart ($6.00) and Williamsburg ($6.00). Williamsburg actually ran in both, after finishing third to Sharp N Smart in the Gloaming when hosted at Warwick Farm.

The majority of these runners are coming through those two races except for Elliptical ($5.00), Promitto ($7.50), Manzoice ($27.00), She’s Extreme, and Renaissance Woman.

1. Elliptical (1)

Ran home quicker than the winner of the Caulfield Guineas after running up behind backsides in the straight. 2000m looks ideal for him and Blake Shinn has followed him up to ride. Drawn well and should run well.

2. Promitto (5)

He is on the quick back up after running a 3.5-length third to Cascadian in the Craven Plate. It was a massive run considering the ludicrous pace set in the race. 2000m looks like his go and he handles all going. Could be over the odds.

3. Sharp N Smart (8)

Impressive winner of the Gloaming Stakes and gets the blinkers off for the first time and visors on. Drawn worse than last start but has run just as well with a sit in races. Could go back to back in the win column.

4. Williamsburg (2)

Won the Dulcify Stakes well two back before going close in the Gloaming Stakes. He hit the line better than the two in front of him though the speed was on. 2000m looks ideal if ridden similarly, though, from barrier two, you would think they would want to sit a touch closer.

5. Matcha Latte (7)

He finished 3.5 lengths back in second in the Ming Dynasty behind Golden Mile before heading to the Gloaming Stakes where he was slow out and the rider lost the whip around the 500m mark, which would have affected his finish. He has come back a decent three-year-old and should eat up 2000m. Drawn is a touch awkward but he should be in the finish.

6. Owen County (11)

Just hasn’t shown the form he showed as a two-year-old. Hard to have.

7. Conqueror (4)

Ran just fairly in the Dulcify Stakes and it’s hard to have him on recent form.

8. Coppleson (3)

Ran credibly in the Gloaming Stakes, but would need to improve.

9. Manzoice (12)

Handled the 1800m in a much weaker grade, but will give them a start after drawing the widest gate.

10. Bunker Hut (6)

Ran well in the Gloaming Stakes but hard to see him turning the tables.

11. She’s Extreme (10)

Second in the Flight Stakes over a mile and gives the indication 2000m should be okay. Has a task from the wide draw.

12. Renaissance Woman (9)

On the quick back up after winning the Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield. Will get back again but if she can improve, she is a place chance.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
2 Promitto	11 She’s Extreme
5 Matcha Latte	5 Matcha Latte
1 Elliptical	1 Elliptical
4 Williamsburg	12 Renaissance Woman

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	3 Sharp ‘N’ Smart
2nd	1 Elliptical	0.08 length
3rd	11 She’s Extreme	0.5 length
4th	5 Matcha Latte	0.68 length

The track was rated as Soft 6.

There were no scratchings.