Anthony Cummings says he is likely to back El Castello in the Victoria Derby after his tough Group 1 spring champion victory on Saturday.

El Castello’s victory deprived Anthony and Sam Freedman of another G1 victory, with their galloper Henlein finishing second.

Given a gem from Tommy Berry, Henlein did his best to crush Josh Parr on El Castello, but couldn’t get past the tough stayer.

The victory moved El Castello into the $4 even-money favorite for the Derby.

“Today the decision is yes,” Cummings said when asked if he was leaving for the Derby in seven days.

“But we have to get him home and make sure he’s OK and check a few boxes before we do that. But that was the plan. The preparation has been put in place so that today’s race will suit him gives the necessary step to go to the Derby Looks like it’s going to happen.

WATCH: El Castello’s tough spring championship win

EL CASTELLO WINS GROUP 1 SPRING CHAMPION!

JOSH PARR WINS HIS THIRD Spring Champion Stakes!@ACummingsracing @JoshuaParr8 pic.twitter.com/o2CcpmJnb1

– 7HorseRacing (@7horseracing) October 26, 2024

Parr was brilliant in his review of El Castello.

“Wow. It was exciting, I tell you,” he said.

“The two of them came down to the side, they left and I just said, ‘No, not my man yet, let’s just wait.’ I was able to wait.

“We reached the top of the hill and I just briefly started to let him go and his ears turned slightly in different directions, he was waiting for company. Henlein obviously came towards him and he started to knees and his last turn was so strong training performance and I’m so proud to be a part of it.