3 minute read

Many Champagne Stakes winners in recent years have gone onto even greater things than the Slipper and Sires winners.

Those suited to the mile are likely to be able to contest middle distance races when 3yo and older, opening up many more opportunities for big race wins.

See who will join Encounter, Intergaze, Bounding Away, Luskin Star, Todman, Flight and Ajax as winners.

PROFILING THE RACE

o While the Slipper to Sires double has been somewhat poor recently, the Sires to Champagne has been excellent. In fact not many Champers winners even started in the Slipper. Admittedly Pierro won all three.

o Go Indy Go made it three different fillies winning the 2yo Triple Crown for one of the few times in history in 2014. Fillies have won the last 3 runnings.

o Inside/middle barriers have been advantaged over the mile for this race.

o Favourites have had a poor record in this race (Pierro/Guelph/Pasadena Girl have turned that a touch).

o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $6

o Breakdown of winners - 4 fillies, 1 gelding & 5 colts

o Races that the winner ran in prior - ATC Sires Produce Stks (9), SA Sires Produce Stks (1)

RECENT WINNERS

2015 – PASADENA GIRL 2f (Savabeel x Nina From Pasadena) ($2.75 fav)

Jockey: Hugh Bowman, Trainer: Peter Moody

Barrier: 4, Weight: 54.5kg, Gross Time: 1:38.03

Margin: 0.5L, Track: Slow (6), Starters: 9

2nd: Street Rapper (54.5kg), 3rd: Tarquin (56.5kg)

Review: This filly began her career winning a Blue Diamond lead up at 60-1 when Peter Moody didn’t even think she was that good. To get to a G1 three runs later was remarkable at that time but her improvement as the races got longer was fantastic.

She was unlucky in the Sires and could have won. But over the mile the only thing that was needed was to be able to run home on that track. She was near the rear and the leader The Barrister went for home early.

Up the rise the daughter of Savabeel had five lengths to make up but she surged late to score. It was the first of a big day for the stable.

2014 – GO INDY GO 2c (Bernadini x Elegant Eagle) ($7)

Jockey: Chad Schofield, Trainer: Leon Macdonald/Andrew Gluyas

Barrier: 6, Weight: 54.5kg, Gross Time: 1:40.29

Margin: 1L, Track: Slow (6), Starters: 10

2nd: Zululand (56.5kg), 3rd: Kumaon (56.5kg)

Review: The South Australian form had long been criticised as not being up to it but in a year dominated by the fillies, it would appear anything could come from anywhere as long as you had an ‘f’ beside your name.

After a very strong SA Sires win, noted traveller of horses Leon Macdonald brought her over to meet a very similar field to the ATC Sires. It wasn’t run fast and Schofield had her back last for much of the way.

But she was able to tack onto the pack, circle around the bend and draw clear on the line. Something for future clearly.

2013 – GUELPH 2f (Exceed And Excel x Camarilla) ($2.50 fav)

Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Peter Snowden

Barrier: 6, Weight: 54.5kg, Gross Time: 1:36.28

Margin: 0.1L, Track: Good, Starters: 13

2nd: Fuerza (56.5kg), 3rd: Equator (56.5kg)

Review: The Sires is generally the race to remember in the lead up to this. However for this edition of the Champagne you also had the Fernhill and Slipper runners coming in with varying lengths of time between runs.

At least here we saw some daring riding. J Cassidy let Fuerza go and with 600m left he was six in front. He was still bobbing inside the distance as McEvoy was searching for holes. Eventually he got through and charged at the leader.

Last stride wins are always tough but she did a great job. It gave Exceed And Excel the Siring Triple Crown and it also provided Darley with three of the last four winners of this race.