Spring Champion Stakes Preview

By Scott Bailey

The Spring Champion Stakes shapes as a classic tempo-and-map contest with Shangri La Boy drawn to control from barrier 2 after dominating the Gloaming, inviting a rinse-and-repeat in front for Nash Rawiller. The chief danger is the filly The Pearls, who should look to box seat from gate 1, meets him better at the weights and looks to get the perfect slipstream. Attica, the Dulcify winner, brings the strong form stepping from 1600m and becomes the closer to fear if the leaders overdo it mid-race. Officiate profiles as the progressive colt who lands 1-1 and gets every chance to see out a genuine 2000m, while Crusader Voyage is the blinkers-first-time smoky who should have a good run and staying pedigree is one to add into exotics. Overall, if the tempo is controlled the on-speed pair hold the aces.

If pressure arrives, Attica’s last 200m could turn the race on its head but he potentially could be posted wide from barrier 11.

The Australian Spring racing carnival is stacked with Group 1 showpieces, but few have stood the test of time, or shaped champions quite like the Spring Champion Stakes at Royal Randwick.

First run in 1971 and steeped in tradition, this 2000-metre set weights test for three-year-olds has become the ultimate proving ground for staying talent, a race where future Derby winners, weight-for-age stars, and breeding barn stallions first announce themselves.

When the AJC Derby shifted from spring to autumn, the Spring Champion Stakes was created to fill the void becoming the premier staying contest for three-year-olds in Sydney’s Spring.
Initially run on Epsom Day, the race was later pushed back to better suit Derby-bound stayers. Today, it’s staged one week before the Victoria Derby, perfectly positioned as a launching pad towards classic success.

Originally known as the Australasian Champion Stakes, it gained Group 1 status in 1979 and, with the exception of 2001 (run over 1800m on the Kensington track), has always been run over the traditional 2000 metres.

Many of the sport’s most celebrated gallopers have launched their careers in the Spring Champion Stakes. From Kingston Town (1979) and Beau Zam (1987) to Tie The Knot (1997), It’s A Dundeel (2012) and Montefilia (2020), the honour roll reads like a roll-call of Australian turf royalty.

Four G1 winners — Stylish Century, Nothin’ Leica Dane, Monaco Consul and Ace High have completed the Spring Champion–Victoria Derby double, while five others including Kingston Town and Dundeel have gone on to claim the ATC Australian Derby in the autumn.

Some have taken an even bolder path. In 2004, Savabeel added the Cox Plate to his Spring Champion title just three weeks later even though he couldn’t add the Derby a week after.

For decades, the Spring Champion Stakes was a boys’ club — until Yankee Rose (2016) smashed the glass ceiling to become the race’s first filly winner.
She opened the door for Maid Of Heaven (2018) and Montefilia (2020), the latter also making history as the first Flight Stakes winner to achieve the double.

In 2021, Japanese-bred Profondo, by the legendary Deep Impact, claimed the race at just his third career start for Irish born and now Australian local Robbie Dolan.

The Spring Champion is more than just a Group 1, it’s a form reference for future staying stars. Many winners go on to dominate over classic distances or make their mark at weight-for-age.

The Gloaming Stakes–Spring Champion double has been a trademark path for emerging stars, achieved by the likes of Kingston Town, Sir Dapper, Dundeel, Ace High, Shadow Hero and El Castello, the latter storming home to claim the 2024 edition from Henlein and Firm Agreement.

The Spring Champion Stakes has missed only one running — in 2007, when the outbreak of Equine Influenza brought racing to a halt. Outside that anomaly, its history has been continuous, compelling and consistently elite.

From the brilliance of Kingston Town and Savabeel to the resilience of Tie The Knot and the class of Sharp ‘N’ Smart, this race has turned colts into stallions and set them up for future classics.

Map & Tempo

• Likely leader: Shangri La Boy (2) — made all to win the Gloaming (G3, 1800m) and draws perfect again.
• On-speed/pressers: Officiate (4), Champagne Hero (11), Crusader Voyage (3, blinkers first time).
• Box-seat rails run: The Pearls (1) (chased Shangri La Boy in the Gloaming; draws to stalk).
• Midfield with cover: Attica (13) (Dulcify winner who came from back, should find a back with early tempo)
• Backmarkers: San Giovanni (5), Master Of The Air (12), Federalist (14)

Tempo read: Genuine/true. Waterhouse/Bott style says they will roll. That helps the proven 1800m horses and exposes the milers stretching to 2000m.

Selections

1. Shangri La Boy (2) — sticky to oppose given the Gloaming win + perfect draw.
2. The Pearls (13) — weight swing + box seat says “danger.”
3. Attica (1) — strong finisher if the race plays to a closer.
4. Officiate (4) — progressive, soft run, 2000m okay.
   Roughie for exotics: Crusader Voyage (10) (blinkers first time).

Key Facts & Figures

First run: 1971 (won by Gay Icarus)

Distance: 2000m (1800m only in 2001)
2025 Prize Money: $2,000,000
Group 1 status: Since 1979

Notable doubles:

• Spring Champion – Victoria Derby: Stylish Century, Nothin’ Leica Dane, Monaco Consul, Ace High
• Spring Champion – ATC Derby: Kingston Town, Beau Zam, Fairway, Universal Prince, Dundeel

Honour Roll – Recent Winners