<p>The Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick is the premier staying race for three-year-olds during the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival.&nbsp;</p> <p>In the past three years, the Spring Champion Stakes has been repositioned from being run early in October to Cox Plate day, later in the month. This switch has made the race a more significant lead-up to the Victoria Derby, run seven days later at Flemington.</p> <p>Last year’s winner, El Castello, finished fifth behind Goldrush Guru in the Victoria Derby.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Spring Champion Stakes 2025 Preview and Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Track: </strong>Randwick.</p> <p><strong>Distance/type: </strong>2000m. 3YOs. Set Weights.</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Saturday, 25 October.</p> <p><strong>Total prizemoney: </strong>$2,000,000.</p> <p><strong>First prize: </strong>$1,155,000.</p> <p><strong>Race and Time:</strong> Race 8 (4.30 pm).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Weather and Track</h3> <p>The Randwick track was rated a Soft 5 on Wednesday. The warm weather – mid-20s – with no rain promises to provide a good surface.</p> <p>The rail is out 7m. With the prospect of a firm track. Track should play fairly.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Trainers</h3> <p>The partnership of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott is chasing its first Spring Champion Stakes with the exciting front-running colt Shangri La Boy. When training on her own, Waterhouse has won four Spring Champion Stakes between 2014 and 1995. Her first winner, Nothin’ Leica Dane, went on to win the Victoria Derby and finish second behind Doriemus in the Melbourne Cup.</p> <p>Joe Pride saddles the favourite Attica in the hope of winning his first Spring Champion Stakes.&nbsp;</p> <p>Past winners with a runner this year include Chris Waller (Officiate, The Pearls, Master Of Air and Crusader Voyage) who won with Vanburgh in 2015, and John Hawkes (training with his sons Wayne and Michael), who won with Niello in 2003 and will line up with the well-credentialled maiden, Federalist.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Jockeys</h3> <p>Cox Plate day in Melbourne has attracted most of the top jockeys.&nbsp;</p> <p>Adam Hyeronimus has had an interesting decision choosing between the two top fancies in the Spring Champion Stakes after riding the favourite, Attica (Dulcify Stakes), and Shangri La Boy (Gloaming Stakes) in their two lead-up wins. He has picked Attica. Hyeronimus rode Tom Kitten to win in 2023.</p> <p>That leaves Nash Rawiller to ride Shangri La Boy. The veteran jockey hasn’t previously won a Spring Champion Stakes, but he’s a master tactician.</p> <p>Jason Collett rode Montefilia to win in 2020. He rides the high-class filly Within The Law for trainer Bjorn Baker. Rachel King, the only female to ride a Spring Champion Stakes winner (Maid Of Heaven 2018) rides outsider Sheza Diva. Two-time winner, Jay Ford (Monaco Consul 2009 and Hotel Grand 2005), rides Tambeloa.</p> <p>Leading trainer Chris Waller has selected jockeys for his four runners – Kerrin McEvoy (Officiate), Tommy Berry (Master Of Air), Dylan Gibbons (Crusader Voyage) and Tim Clark (The Pearls).&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Speed Map</h3> <p><strong>Tempo prediction:</strong> good/fast</p> <p>As he did in the Gloaming Stakes, expect the Waterhouse/Bott-trained Shangri La Boy to lead, and he is likely to run at a good tempo, especially with the crafty Nash Rawiller riding him.</p> <p>Adam Hyeronimus has a conundrum with Attica. He has been riding Shangri La Boy, so he knows his capabilities and won’t want to give him a big start. Expect a positive ride early on Attica from barrier 13.</p> <p>Others to go forward include Shangri La Boy’s stablemate Champagne Hero, The Pearls, Crusader Voyage (blinkers on) and Officiate. Look for San Giovani and Southern Prince to hold forward positions from their favourable draws.</p> <p>The best of the back-runners are Federalist, Within The Law, Master Of Air and Queen Of Clubs.</p> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Points of Interest</h3> <p><strong>Significant gear change</strong>: The promising Crusader Voyage gets blinkers for the first time.</p> <p><strong>Fillies rarely win: </strong>Only three fillies have won the Spring Champion Stakes since it was first run in 1971, and those have come in the past nine years. Yankee Rose broke new ground in 2016, Maid Of Heaven won in 2018, and Montefilia in 2020. There are four fillies in this year’s race – Within The Law, Queen Of Clubs, The Pearls and Sheza Diva.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Spring Champion Stakes 2025 Racing Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Spring Champion Stakes Top Tip&nbsp;</h3> <p><strong>Attica</strong></p> <p>Attica looks to be an exciting prospect. Jockey Adam Hyeroniumus had the choice between the colt and Shangri La Boy, and he chose Attica. Expect a positive ride from his wide draw, and he has the class to run down Shangri La Boy.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Spring Champion Stakes Dangers</h3> <p><strong>Shangri La Boy</strong></p> <p>Like Attica, he’s had only three starts, but his win in the G3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill was exceptional. The cagey Nash Rawiller rides and this colt will lead. It will take a good one to run him down.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Federalist</strong></p> <p>Drawing wide means Federalist is likely to be in the back half of the field. He is highly rated by the Hawkes team, and he’s been crying out for 2000m or further. Good enough.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The Pearls</strong></p> <p>New Zealand-bred filly in the Chris Waller stable. She chased hard behind Shangri La Boy in the Gloaming Stakes, when she was a $61 chance. Barrier one means she will have the run of the race.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Spring Champion Stakes Roughies</h3> <p><strong>Crusader Voyage</strong></p> <p>With the blinkers added, this maiden galloper comes into this race as a real blow-out chance. He was beaten in a Super Maiden (1600m) at his most recent starts but he has the Waller polish and he’s drawn barrier 3.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Southern Prince</strong></p> <p>He has won his past two at Kembla Grange in fine style. Bolted in over 1600m last time. Expect him to handle the extra distance.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Spring Champion Stakes Same Race Multi (Pick a Combination)</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Attica &amp; Shangri La Boy</strong> – top three.</p> <p><strong>Federalist </strong>– top four</p> <p><strong>The Pearls, Within The Law</strong> – top six</p> <p><strong>Crusader Voyage, Southern Prince</strong> – top seven</p>