The Champagne Stakes is one of two Group 1’s on the program at Royal Randwick this Saturday as a capacity field of two-year-olds step out over the mile with $500,000 on the line.
A serious case can be made for the top three in the market, but it is Inglis Sires’ second place-getter Hilal who has opened as the favourite with third place-getter Captivant not far behind.
Only two fillies will take on the boys this year with both Queen Of Wizardry and Gin Martini looking good value towards the bottom end of betting.
Hugh Bowman, meanwhile, will be looking to earn his fourth Champagne Stakes with an upset aboard the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Port Louis.
For analysis on all 14 runners, check out our 2021 Champagne Stakes Preview below!
Captivant
The Snowden name is synonymous with the Champagne Stakes and the stable appears to have a legitimate shot at winning for a fifth time with lightly-raced colt Captivant.
The son of Capitalist won the Victory Vein at Randwick on debut during the spring and has since returned to work to run fifth in the Golden Slipper and third to Anamoe in the Inglis Sires’ a fortnight ago.
The way he finished through the line in the Sires was impressive to watch and there is no question he’ll see out the mile for the first time.
Where he winds up from the inside draw is a slight query, but if James McDonald can shuffle back early, he should have plenty to work with late.
Hilal
Hilal follows a similar lead-up to Captivant after finishing off just as strongly for second in the Inglis Sires’ two weeks ago.
The son of Fastnet Rock won his debut in impressive style at Kensington back in February and has so far returned a place in three of his four starts.
The way he overcame an awkward barrier last time out from well back reads well heading into this contest, especially after copping a bump with 350m to go.
With likely a much cleaner run in transit this time under the in-form Tommy Berry, the Hawkes-trained two-year-old is tough to fault.
Converge
Frankel colt Converge is looking to become the third horse to complete the Fernhill Stakes – Champagne Stakes double after taking out last week’s Listed race by an impressive margin as the $3.40 favourite.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s two-year-old overcame a bump early on to sit one-off the speed before producing an eye-catching turn of foot out wide to fly past Saturday’s rival Maurice’s Medad.
He’ll likely land just off the speed again under Tim Clark, and providing they don’t burn too much petrol early on, the pair should be fighting out the finish on the quick backup.
Daily Bugle
Daily Bugle was far from disgraced when sixth in the Inglis Sires’, but the way he failed to let down over the closing stages does make him a query stepping up to the mile for the first time.
The colt by Press Statement won well on debut at Pakenham back in January and was also an impressive winner over the 1500m at Mornington two runs back.
So far he’s failed to run a place in two starts at Group level though, and the price on offer well and truly reflects that.
I’ve Bean There
I’ve Bean There scored his maiden last month at Eagle Farm with an impressive weaving run in the late stages to score by half a length.
The Queenslander has plenty of fitness on his side for three runs back, but this still looks tough facing black-type company for the first time.
Maurice’s Medad
Maurice’s Medad has returned a different horse to the one we saw on debut at Randwick in the Group 3 Breeders Plate back in the spring.
Bjorn Baker’s two-year-old found the placings in back-to-back starts at Wyong and Kensington last month before finally breaking through for his maiden at Hawkesbury three weeks ago with an impressive 1.5L win.
He was unlucky to be gunned down on-speed by the fast-finishing Converge last time out in the Listed Fernhill Stakes, but he should be better for the run with some experience over the mile under his belt.
This is tougher, but a place isn’t out of the question as he’ll likely make his own luck up front again.
Arnaqueur
Arnaqeur is making just his third race start on Saturday after finishing off fairly for fourth in the Fernhill last week.
Jean Dubois’ sprinter won on debut at Kembla Grange three weeks ago with a bursting run from mid-field and gets the winkers on for the first time.
Akahata
Akahata is looking to snap a run of recent placings that includes a third to Converge last week in the Fernhill.
The son of Pins fought home gamely after settling fourth in the run, and appears to be wanting further now after showing plenty of speed through the line.
Barrier 12 does leave Craig Williams with some work to do, but if the pair can offset it early and park somewhere towards midfield, they should be finishing off strongly.
The current $19.00 price at time of publish looks a good each-way bet.
Patton
Patton won well on debut at Pakenham last month before finding the step up to the 1400m a challenge at Ballarat.
The blinkers go on for the first time, but he’d need to improve drastically to be a factor here from the wide draw.
Port Louis
Port Louis has made only the two starts to date, both for a place in much easier company at Kensington and Canterbury.
The booking of three-time Champagne Stakes winner Hugh Bowman warrants some respect, but the wide draw and the fact he’s racing beyond 1200m for the first time asks plenty of questions.
Wolfburn
Wolfburn is on the quick turnaround after just weakening out for second last week at Kembla Grange over the 1400m.
Plenty about that run suggests he wants 1600m now, but this remains a significant step up in class.
Lease
Lease has found the money only once in three starts and is yet to race beyond 1200m.
Cannot have.
Queen Of Wizardry
Queen Of Wizardry won on debut at Eagle Farm to start the year and does have a slight experience edge over some of these after running in the Golden Slipper.
She failed to land in the money in the Inglis Sires’ last time out, but was seen doing her best work late.
The mile looks a nice option for her now and the booking of Jamie Kah obviously warrants consideration.
Gin Martini
Gin Martini could be over the odds after giving good chase for third behind Saif and Saturday’s rival converge last time out in the Group 3 Bailleu at Rosehill.
John Sargent’s filly has now found the money in two of her three starts to date and should be found doing her best work late under the light weight of Brenton Avdulla.