Castelo to climb grades in Melbourne

Swettenham Stud graduate Castelo is ready to climb the grades in city ranks after a last-start victory at Sandown.

He settled at the back of the field before storming home to win the Mypunter Hcp (1400m) on the Hillside circuit last week. It was his third victory following early wins at Pakenham and Werribee.

Swettenham sold him (as agent) at the Blue Riband session of the 2013 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. “He had good conformation and a frame that was going to need time to mature,” trainer Clinton McDonald said. “He’s a typical High Chaparral and we’ve been patient but we’re seeing the results of that now.”

Castelo defeated New Elegance by a half-length at Sandown. The runner-up is another lightly-raced son of High Chaparral who was having his first start in Melbourne for Gai Waterhouse.

Earlier in his career, Castelo finished on the heels of Group 3 winner Hi World, multiple city winner Duke Of Brunswick and Group 3 performer Convincible who was later sold to Hong Kong.

His dam Ponte de Lima (Encosta de Lago) won twice at Sandown for Euan White and he’s bred three winners from the mare including last year’s VOBIS Gold Star placegetter Del Prado. Her latest foal is a colt by Swettenham’s High Chaparral Group 1 winner Toronado.