Luck is key for Castillo King’s 2026 Run To The Rose bid from wide gate

Less than two months after his maiden race start, Castillo King is preparing to face some of the premier three-year-olds in the Run To The Rose. Jockey Tommy Berry suggests the colt is up to the challenge, provided a crucial condition is met.

The Michael Freedman-trained galloper has drawn barrier 12 of 13 for Saturday’s 1200m sprint. Facing a quality field that includes Group 1-winning juveniles Fireball and Tron Bolt, Berry highlighted the absolute necessity for Castillo King to encounter some luck in the initial stages of the race.

“We had to ride him quiet from a poor alley last start and we were hoping he drew well this start because we wanted to be prominent on him,” Berry stated. “I’m just disappointed with the draw. I still wouldn’t think, this weekend, we’d ride him quiet, only for the fact he is there to run well.

“He’s been working well, so we’d want to still be positive on him and hope for a bit of luck. If we get the luck, he’s going to be right in the finish.”

After an impressive victory at Warwick Farm on debut in July, Castillo King settled in the second half of the field, making ground to finish fourth behind Chilly Girl in the Rosebud (1100m) last month.

Freedman has opted for a spaced race program for the colt, and Berry believes his athletic build means he will handle the Run To The Rose race conditions effectively when racing fresh.

“He’s not a big, gross horse so we weren’t worried about the month between runs with him,” he commented. “He’s working really well at home. He had a few days in the paddock after his last run and he’s spot-on.

“He’ll have no excuses on the weekend bar bad luck, but if we get a bit of luck in the first furlong, I guarantee he’ll be in the finish.”

While Berry has been aboard Castillo King for his two career starts, he will ride Hidrix for the first time in the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m), another significant three-year-old event.

The Canonbury Stakes (1100m) winner resumed with a solid fifth place against older horses in benchmark grade last month. From barrier four, Berry suggests Hidrix is drawn perfectly to get an ideal run.

“The barrier is probably imperative so he can get a nice run behind the speed,” he said. “His run was really good first-up when he went back to the inferior ground on the inside.

“I saw him the other morning and he’s in great order. He’ll appreciate the step up in distance as well.”

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