| What | 2021 Champagne Stakes |
| Where | Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 |
| When | Saturday, April 24, 2021 | 2:55pm AEST | Race 6 |
| Prizemoney | $500,000 |
| Distance | 1600m |
| Status | Group 1 |
| Race Conditions | 2YO | Set Weights & Penalties |
| 2020 Winner | King’s Legacy (3) – 56.5kg | Jockey: Hugh Bowman | Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden |
| Watch Live | |
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Streaming Live at Sportsbet |
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A field of 14 will contest the second-last 2YO Group 1 of the year on Saturday as Royal Randwick hosts the 2021 Champagne Stakes. It certainly isn’t a classic edition of the mile race, with none of the Blue Diamond Stakes, Golden Slipper, or Sires’ Produce Stakes winners lining up in this. Hilal is the $3.30 favourite after finishing second to Anamoe in the Sires’ a fortnight ago, ahead of Captivant at $4.20 and Fernhill Stakes winner Converge at $5.50. Converge looks the leader on paper, while Maurice’s Medad, Patton, Port Louis and Wolfburn are going to be positive.
We made Captivant the danger to Anamoe in the Sires’ Produce a fortnight ago, and while he was no match for the favourite, he ran home very strongly to finish third, just 0.2 lengths off Hilal. Those two came with their runs together, but Captivant just copped a bit of a squeeze between Anamoe and Hilal upon straightening which hindered his momentum. Captivant from barrier one has the option to be a bit closer than last time, and the booking of James McDonald is a big push. We are happy to have him on top at the price.
Hilal is the obvious danger to Captivant given he just started to edge away at the end of 1400m last start, but he had more momentum in the straight. The Fastnet Rock colt showed plenty of promise in his debut run, coming from a mile back on the Kensington track to win, and he has continued to put in big runs, including his runner-up effort in the Sires’ Produce. His regular rider, Tommy Berry, hops back aboard, and barrier four should allow him to be midfield with cover, which will save him for a final shot at them. He is right in this.
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace have taken a slightly different approach with their maiden galloper Port Louis, but nonetheless, we like him. The son of Maurice has had just two starts, finishing third and second over 1100m and 1200m respectively on wet tracks. He looks to have a turn of foot, but he has had the sprint taken out of him in both of his runs, so onto a dry track and up to the mile looks ideal for this colt before heading up to Queensland for the JJ Atkins. At double figures, he is the one for the exotics.
Best bet for 2021 Champagne Stakes
| $100 betting strategy | |
|---|---|
| $50 win | Captivant |
| $50 boxed quinella | 1 – 2 – 10 |
randwick – Race 6
moet and chandon champagne stks
Class: open 1
Track Rating: 4
2:55pm
- Track Conditions: TBA
moet and chandon champagne
1600m
Saturday 2:55pm
- win
- place
1
Captivant
2
Hilal
3
Converge
4
Daily Bugle
5
I’ve Bean There
6
Maurice’s Medad
7
Arnaqueur
8
Akahata
9
Patton
10
Port Louis
11
Wolfburn
12
Lease
13
Queen Of Wizardry
14
Gin Martini
