The three-year-olds hit Royal Randwick this Saturday chasing Group 1 glory in the Spring Champion Stakes — 2000 metres of staying pressure where pretenders get found out and future stars announce themselves.
It’s the last big Sydney test before the classics, and with Victoria Derby dreams on the line, we’ve got our full Spring Champion Stakes 2025 preview for punters right here.
Won in recent years by subsequent Derby stars including Monaco Consul (2009) and Ace High (2017), the $2 million clash is a proving ground for classic contenders.
With the Gloaming Stakes a consistent form line to follow into the event, this year’s winner Shangri La Boy is favourite to salute again.
So, will he get the job done for the punters or will another young gun in the making put their hand up for a spot in the Derby?
We’ve sized up every runner in this year’s field — now let’s find the future star.
Read on for our expert runner-by-runner guide to the 2025 Spring Champion Stakes!
- Top 3 – No. 2 Shangri La Boy
- Top 4 – No. 3 San Giovanni
- Top 4 – No. 13 The Pearls
| 2. Shangri La Boy (2) J: Nash Rawiller 56.5kg 311T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 13. The Pearls (1) J: Tim Clark 54.5kg x3412T: Chris Waller | ||
| 3. San Giovanni (5) J: Andrew Adkins 56.5kg 11933T: Michael Freedman |
1. Attica (13) – Joseph Pride
Odds: $3.70 (at time of publish)
Joe Pride’s Lonhro colt is building a nice record ahead of his Group 1 acid test on the weekend.
He’s a two-time winner from three starts having stepped up to Black-Type company for the first time on October 4 to dominate the Listed Dulcify Quality.
From barrier 10 of 10 he was strong coming from last on the turn for home to defeat the field by nearly two lengths, and he’ll have to do it from wide out again drawn gate 13 for Saturday.
Regular rider Adam Hyeronimus sticks aboard and the step up to 2000m looks ideal now.
On the improve, Hyeronimus is flying, drawn wide but can make up late ground again to present as a threat.
2. Shangri La Boy (2) – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Odds: $3.50 (at time of publish)
Race favourite, Shangri La Boy chases a hat-trick up in grade and distance but ticking all the right boxes to deserve his spot at the top of the markets.
The nicely bred Pierro colt was a big winner at the draw and will jump from barrier two with Nash Rawiller coming aboard in place of Hyeronimus who is on the biggest danger Attica.
After a 1400m maiden win by a large margin at Rosehill two back he went up in grade and easily accounted for his rivals in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes over 1800m.
No issues getting the extra furlong based on that powerhouse performance and the Gloaming is always the superior form line for this Group 1.
El Castello did the double last year, and it is easy to see why money is coming for this youngster to repeat the feat.
Quick rise through the ranks, has staying ability in droves, encouraging effort last time out and has the turn of foot to hold off the challengers.
The horse to beat.
3. San Giovanni (5) – Michael Freedman
Odds: $20 (at time of publish)
Michael Freedman is in flying form and saddles-up one of the better fancied chances for the exotics in San Giovanni.
The Zoustar gelding has been left alone by the punters despite coming off solid back-to-back thirds in Sydney this prep.
The latest had him 2.47 lengths off Saturday’s favourite in the Gloaming in a fantastic effort that seems to have been forgotten.
He had a tough gate in the lead-up race but fought all the way through the line.
Going the right way, has upside and could run better than the price indicates especially from a more favourable alley with Andrew Adkins continuing associations.
For a horse that only debuted in July there’s lots to like.
I think he’ll relish the increase in trip and presents as a dark horse for the value hunters.
4. Officiate (4) – Chris Waller
Odds: $23 (at time of publish)
Waller hasn’t won the Spring Champion since his 2015 success with Vanbrugh a decade ago, and the master horseman launches a four-pronged attack on this year’s field starting with Officiate.
This Justify colt is owned by Yu Long Investments and comes in untested in Group company.
He has one win from four starts having taken out a Canterbury maiden over 1550m narrowly in September before a close third just a length off Options in the Listed Super Impose over 1800m at HQ.
Not sure that race is the best form line to follow into Saturday’s feature, but the run was encouraging as he did make up a bit of ground from midfield in the run.
Blinkers go on to help keep him focused, gets his chance from a nice barrier four draw and Kerrin McEvoy is a good replacement for J-Mac who rides in Melbourne for Cox Plate Day.
Profiles as a stayer in the making, comes from one of the best stables and if the tempo suits, he could up there in the finish flying under the radar.
5. Master Of The Air (12) – Chris Waller
Odds: $21 (at time of publish)
The second of the Waller runners, Master Of The Air is ideally bred for this being a son of the 2012 Gloaming Stakes – Spring Champion Stakes double winner Dundeel.
While he is yet to win over further than 1400m, his pedigree suggests he can get the trip and atone for his sixth in the Gloaming when still very raw and over racing somewhat.
Jockey Tommy Berry was full of post-race praise saying “he will be the best horse to come out of the race in time” – but is that time just yet?
Things went the way of the on-speed runners in the Gloaming, and this guy was pretty brave sticking with the task.
Berry stays aboard and he’ll have to find a position from a wide alley but if they’re making up ground at Randwick on Saturday this colt could find a way and improve out of sight.
While he needs to lift, the future looks bright and he’s one for the blackbook if not this weekend, then down the line as he matures.
6. Federalist (14) – Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes
Odds: $23 (at time of publish)
Even at $23 at time of publish I think Federalist is too short in the markets for this considering the Team Hawkes trained galloper is yet to record at top three placing from five starts.
He wasn’t far away at the top level as a juvenile with his Inglis Sires’ run for seventh seeing him only two lengths off Vinrock followed by a midfield sixth to Nepotism in the Champagne Stakes over the Randwick mile, but he’s not done enough this prep for mine to look any kind of danger on the weekend.
Fresh he was second last in the Ming Dynasty over eight lengths beaten and, while he did show improvement down in grade to cross fourth in the Dulcify to Attica, I can’t see him turning the tables.
Barrier 14 certainly doesn’t help his cause.
Sure to improve next preparation but is still a season away from peaking for mine.
Will settle back and if it is set up for a swooper I’m sure he’ll finish off okay, but not in the money.
7. Champagne Hero (11) – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Odds: $14 (at time of publish)
The second of the Waterhouse/Bott hopefuls, Maurice colt Champagne Hero comes in with mixed form.
He recorded his second career win at his fourth start two back storming home in a Class 1 at Newcastle over 1500m for a dominant four length victory.
That form didn’t really hold when he went up in class and distance into the Gloaming where, from barrier one, he crossed 4.5 lengths seventh.
That said, he had excuses having been fractious in the gates, slow to start and running out of room on the straight to feature.
Even so, Regan Bayliss was positive about his run and stays on from gate 11 looking to atone on the weekend.
While he’s not got any favours barrier wise, Waterhouse is typically positive about his chances to improve going up to the 2000m.
Can he bounce back and live up to his bloodlines?
If he doesn’t muck around and gets cleanly away, he’ll cross to lead but I think he’ll be swamped late, and I prefer plenty of others in the field.
8. Tambeloa (6) – Kristen Buchanan
Odds: $81 (at time of publish)
One of the longest priced in the field, Tambeloa runs for Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan who is throwing her Tagaloa colt into the deep end despite a mediocre Gloaming Stakes performance.
He failed to come within seven lengths of Shangri La Boy from barrier 12 of 16 as an 80/1 shot and it’s hard to see him running much better in a tougher race.
Found himself well back in the field in the Group 3 and didn’t give up over the final 200m which suggests he’ll be better suited up in trip.
If he can get onto the back of something making up ground late, he could finish off in the first half off a low-pressure run should tactics come into play.
That’s a lot of ifs.
Happy to leave out.
9. Southern Prince (7) – Annabel & Rob Archibald
Odds: $31 (at time of publish)
One of just three last start winners in the mix, Southern Prince chases a hat-trick for the Archibalds on the weekend having gone back-to-back in easier grade at Kembla Grange leading up to this.
Has his seventh start now but this is a massive rise in class.
Showed a little something over the mile a fortnight ago winning as the odds-on fancy by nearly three lengths but a Group 1 at Randwick going from 1600m to 2000m is a huge task.
Was strong at his latest but cannot have a horse out of a Class 1 going straight to a Group 1.
10. Crusader Voyage (3) – Chris Waller
Odds: $31 (at time of publish)
Camelot colt Crusader Voyage is a perennial runner-up for the Waller stable out to shrug his placegetter status.
While regally bred being from a multiple Group 1 winning mare in Sea Siren, he has had five starts for four runs in the money but remains a maiden and it would be some effort to break through and post his first win in a Group 1.
Latest three finishes have all been second best by increasingly narrow margins so the upside is there but could be losing confidence now.
Given every chance by James McDonald at his latest but the jockey switch to Dylan Gibbons doesn’t really give me confidence either.
Blinkers go on so he’ll be sharp and barrier three allows him to jump straight into a forward position potentially leading but doesn’t have the form or confidence to go all-the-way.
Prefer over less distance in easier company.
11. Within The Law (15) – Bjorn Baker
Odds: $4.80 (at time of publish)
Four fillies take on the colts and geldings in this year’s Spring Champion, the first of which is Within The Law for Bjorn Baker.
Only three fillies have won this race with Montefilia (2020) the latest, and Within The Law is being kept very safe in the markets at single-figures to potentially be the next.
The draw (15) doesn’t help but she is one of the best tried in the field having her 13th start on Saturday.
She’s a proven Group 2 winner from the autumn and held her own in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes when second to Nepotism only two runs after throwing her rider in the Slipper.
Has had plenty of racing this prep with five lead-ups including a second to Apocalyptic in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) on Epsom Day.
Having gone all the way through the Princess Series, it was a surprise to see her take on the older and far more seasoned middle-distance stars in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes last weekend on The Everest Day.
In on just 48kg she ran ninth to Ceolwulf 3.36 lengths beaten in a performance that was far better than it reads on paper.
She faced an enormous task and finished without disgrace so should relish coming back against her own age now.
Rock-hard fit, her regular rider Jason Collett comes back aboard and is sure to get the best out of her.
Tricky to get a gauge on the form lines she brings in but she’ll be toughed up from last start, and I like her on the quick back-up.
If she can overcome the alley and the King Charles didn’t take too much out of her, I’m sure she’ll be giving the boys a run for their money the closing stages.
She’ll need a sharp ride and a bit of luck early, but if she gets cover and settles, she’s got the engine to finish off strongly.
12. Queen Of Clubs (8) – Gary Portelli
Odds: $20 (at time of publish)
Some early money coming for Queen Of Clubs who has firmed in from $31 to $20 at time of publish after scratching out of the Group 2 Callander-Presnell in favour of this Group 1 assignment.
Portelli’s daughter of Maurice hasn’t won since June, but she was competitive throughout Sydney’s Princess Series placing 3rd in the Silver Shadow in her 3YO debut and fourth to Apocalyptic in the Tea Rose.
Over the mile in the Flight Stakes her run was very disappointing when she went back and seemed to jar up on the firm track.
She reportedly pulled up fine and has been well since taking no harm out of the run, but it wasn’t the right lead-up you want to see ahead of a 2000m test against the boys.
Ashley Morgan is flying and comes aboard for the first time since riding her for her sole win to date.
Jumps from gate eight which statistically is the most successful in the past 20 plus years producing four winners since 2000, the latest of which was Sharp ‘N’ Smart in 2022.
Those are the positives but outside of that I’m finding it hard to make a case for her.
13. The Pearls (1) – Chris Waller
Odds: $15 (at time of publish)
The last of the Waller runners and we’ll see The Pearls jump from barrier one, a gate that recently produced Tom Kitten for his 2023 success.
This classy, Kiwi bred Proisir filly won at Hawkesbury to break her maiden status over 1500m on September 25 then headed to the Gloaming – which is a stepping-stone I like.
She went around at 60/1 and ran out of her skin to place second behind the two-length winner Shangri La Boy in a massive effort considering it was her first foray into Group grade.
To come from a Hawkesbury maiden and run so well is very promising – and promise is exactly what she’s started to show.
Untapped and ready to roll again, Tim Clark sticks with and if you fancy the Gloaming form then surely, she represents a bit of value.
Rising at the right time and the flashing finish last start suggests she’ll eat up the 2000m.
Expect her to stay close to the leaders on pace with enough in the tank to charge home.
The more I type the more I talk myself into her maybe even as an each way play!
14. Sheeza Diva (9) – Mitchell & Desiree Kearney
Odds: $31 (at time of publish)
Nicely bred Pierro filly Sheeza Diva hails from the Hawkesbury base of Mitchell & Desiree Kearney and she’s another coming via the right form race for mine – the Gloaming.
This bonny bay and noted improver was excellent running fourth at blowout odds and keeps Rachel King aboard as she takes on the colts again on Saturday.
Having acquitted herself well in the traditional lead-up she’s shorter in the markets for the big one but still at juicy odds.
A filly that can make up ground I’m sure she’ll finish without disgrace again but could just be stretched class wise with a few others out of the Gloaming that map better.
Could be better back to a mile instead of rising in distance but she’ll enjoy the soft going and could surprise me.
15e Pinot Nero (10) – John Ramsey
Odds: $151 (at time of publish)
The rank outsider sweating a start in the Spring Champion field is Pinot Nero at 150/1.
Should something come out and this Pierro gelding gain a start he’ll be making up numbers at best.
Eight starts for one win over 1500m in a Muswellbrook maiden in mid-September doesn’t really set my smokey radar off.
Two subsequent placings at Scone and Dubbo so heading to the big city now and he’ll find that tough to handle.
Still, he was just a neck off the winner over 2200m at his latest on October 3 so coming back to 2000m should he get a run would suit.
Can stay but can’t win.
Happy punting!
Don’t forget to check out our The Punters’ Playbook: Randwick Spring Carnival Deep Dive for the inside word on the jockeys, trainers and races to watch over the following months!