1 hour ago
2
Ray Hickson
July 14, 2026 — 5:15pm
It’s been an exercise in patience for connections of well-bred colt Castillo King, whose debut has been left to the closing weeks of the season at Warwick Farm today.
Trainer Michael Freedman had been preparing the youngster for the official two-year-old trials last spring, but had to shelve those plans. Castillo King only made it to the trials for the first time a month ago.
But his recent trial win suggests the time has served him well and the Racing And Sports Plate (1100m) will provide a good pointer to his future.
“It’s obviously mid-winter trial form, so we have to keep it in perspective, but he looks like a nice type,” Freedman said.
“He was one of the horses we were trying to get ready for the trials in September last year, but he had a bit of a setback so we had to give him a bit of time.
“We haven’t rushed him back and that’s why we’re kicking off this late in the season.
“It’s a good option for him to kick him off and get him going and see where we end up.”
Freedman would like to see Castillo King make some use of the inside barrier.
The logical early season target for progressive rising three-year-olds is the Listed Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill on August 15 and Freedman said the presence of Silver Slipper runner-up Eviction Notice in the field will provide a measuring stick.
“I’m sure (Eviction Notice) will be up on speed like most of theirs are and I think because he has a bit of exposed form it gives you a bit of a guide coming out of the race, ” he said.
“Whenever you draw barrier one, particularly in those short course races, you need to hold a spot.
“I don’t think he wants to be leading, but I’d be encouraging [jockey Tommy Berry] to be reasonably positive to hold a spot so he doesn’t get too far back.”
Godolphin filly Promenade returns for her second preparation in the Robrick Lodge Plate (1100m) and the trainer is expecting her to be most effective up to a mile this time around.
“I get the feeling she’s going to love getting out over a bit further later on, 1400m and possibly a mile, where she can roll along up on speed, ” he said.
Supplied by Racing NSW
