Gr 1 – Champagne Stakes

Our Gr 1 star Ric Chapman has examined all the runners in this juvenile classic over a mile. He rates them all and finds the first 4 home.

1. State Visit (12)

J: J Mcdonald T: C Maher

Super colt who is improving with every run. Stormed home to just miss in the Gr 1 Sires’ and this trip looks even more to his liking. Draw is awkward but Jay Mac is on board and he should slot him in, fall asleep and then come hard. Big show.

PB Rating 9.2
Last 5 132
Win $6.00 Place $2.10
  • Ready to Fire

2. Nepotism (11)

J: T Schiller T: M, J & W Hawkes

Might be very good. After a debut run which had red lights flashing over it in the Gr 2 Todman when 3rd, he took to the 1400m Gr 3 Baillieu on a heavy track and won easily. This trip looks no problem and he is on the improve. Big danger.

PB Rating 9
Last 5 31
Win $4.00 Place $1.70
  • Ready to Fire

3. Buffalo (5)

J: J Collett T: D Atkins

Star youngster who was doing his best work late when flashing home and beaten a lip in the Gr 1 Sires’ over 1400m. Clearly is highly gifted and this journey looks ideal. Will make his presence felt.

PB Rating 9
Last 5 x6613
Win $7.00 Place $2.35
  • Ready to Fire

4. Is It Spectacular (2)

J: M Zahra T: S Ryan

Lightly raced but is in a winnings table and did score last start in maiden grade. This is many lengths harder but he is bred to run the trip. Could sneak a place at huge odds.

PB Rating 7.5
Last 5 5x1
Win $61.00 Place $12.00
  • Place Performer

5. Michelangelo (4)

J: Z Lloyd T: C Waller

Has had 4 starts to date and not run a place in any of them, including a beat down last week in the weaker 1600m Fernhill. Not keen.

PB Rating 6
Last 5 6465
Win $26.00 Place $6.00
  • Good on Soft

6. Federalist (9)

J: N Rawiller T: M, J & W Hawkes

Has an outstanding pedigree and does have some talent. Did finish only 2.3 lengths away in the Gr 1 Sires’ last start at 2nd run. Fitter now but still not overly keen.

PB Rating 6.6
Last 5 57
Win $17.00 Place $4.40
  • Likes Dry Track

7. Within The Law (3)

Best Bet
J: K Mcevoy T: B Baker

Looks the winner for mine. Gets back and runs home honestly and very hard as she did last week when chasing home the super filly Tempted in the Gr 2 Percy Sykes over 1200m. Gives the impression this trip will suit. Fell in the Golden Slipper but had won 3 races prior to that. Big danger.

PB Rating 9.3
Last 5 12103
Win $5.00 Place $1.90
  • Proven Winner

8. Bellazaine (6)

J: T Clark T: G Waterhouse & A Bott

Will dice with Spicy Lu for the lead early and that may bring her unstuck over this journey.

PB Rating 6.6
Last 5 x1286
Win $8.50 Place $2.60
  • Likes Dry Track

9. Spicy Lu (8)

J: R King T: N Olive

Shocked everyone last week when she strolled to the lead early and just kept running to claim the Gr 3 Fernhill this trip. Is now unbeaten in 3 starts but will find this a lot harder and will be taken on for the lead by Bellazaine which will not help her hopes.

PB Rating 8
Last 5 111
Win $18.00 Place $4.60
  • Proven Winner

10. Tupakara (1)

J: T Berry T: A Neasham & R Archibald

Good filly but still a maiden after 5 starts. Last week was strong late when 2nd to Spicy Lu in the Gr 3 Fernhill which traditionally is much easier than this. Not keen.

PB Rating 7
Last 5 7x432
Win $19.00 Place $4.60
  • Likes Dry Track

11. Lady Pankhurst (10)

J: C Williams T: J Sargent

Was 2nd over 1000m in a Wyong maiden, then straight to Gr 3 class over a mile and was game when 3rd to Spicy Lu after being on pace all the way. Fitter now. Different tempo here and will find it tough.

PB Rating 7
Last 5 623
Win $51.00 Place $11.00
  • Likes Dry Track

12. Next Jen (7)

J: C Schofield T: A Neasham & R Archibald

Could be a sneaky place hope here at big odds. Lightly raced filly who has talent. Won maiden at Newcastle coming from a mile back over 1300m and last start was doing best work late when 5th to Nepotism over 1400m in a Gr 3. Place show.

PB Rating 8
Last 5 15
Win $10.00 Place $2.90
  • Place Performer

1. State Visit (12)

J: J Mcdonald T: C Maher

Super colt who is improving with every run. Stormed home to just miss in the Gr 1 Sires’ and this trip looks even more to his liking. Draw is awkward but Jay Mac is on board and he should slot him in, fall asleep and then come hard. Big show.

PB Rating 9.2
Last 5 132
Win $6.00 Place $2.10
  • Ready to Fire

2. Nepotism (11)

J: T Schiller T: M, J & W Hawkes

Might be very good. After a debut run which had red lights flashing over it in the Gr 2 Todman when 3rd, he took to the 1400m Gr 3 Baillieu on a heavy track and won easily. This trip looks no problem and he is on the improve. Big danger.

PB Rating 9
Last 5 31
Win $4.00 Place $1.70
  • Ready to Fire

3. Buffalo (5)

Best Value
J: J Collett T: D Atkins

Star youngster who was doing his best work late when flashing home and beaten a lip in the Gr 1 Sires’ over 1400m. Clearly is highly gifted and this journey looks ideal. Will make his presence felt.

PB Rating 9
Last 5 x6613
Win $7.00 Place $2.35
  • Ready to Fire

4. Is It Spectacular (2)

J: M Zahra T: S Ryan

Lightly raced but is in a winnings table and did score last start in maiden grade. This is many lengths harder but he is bred to run the trip. Could sneak a place at huge odds.

PB Rating 7.5
Last 5 5x1
Win $61.00 Place $12.00
  • Place Performer

5. Michelangelo (4)

J: Z Lloyd T: C Waller

Has had 4 starts to date and not run a place in any of them, including a beat down last week in the weaker 1600m Fernhill. Not keen.

PB Rating 6
Last 5 6465
Win $26.00 Place $6.00
  • Good on Soft

6. Federalist (9)

J: N Rawiller T: M, J & W Hawkes

Has an outstanding pedigree and does have some talent. Did finish only 2.3 lengths away in the Gr 1 Sires’ last start at 2nd run. Fitter now but still not overly keen.

PB Rating 6.6
Last 5 57
Win $17.00 Place $4.40
  • Likes Dry Track

7. Within The Law (3)

Best Bet
J: K Mcevoy T: B Baker

Looks the winner for mine. Gets back and runs home honestly and very hard as she did last week when chasing home the super filly Tempted in the Gr 2 Percy Sykes over 1200m. Gives the impression this trip will suit. Fell in the Golden Slipper but had won 3 races prior to that. Big danger.

PB Rating 9.3
Last 5 12103
Win $5.00 Place $1.90
  • Proven Winner

8. Bellazaine (6)

J: T Clark T: G Waterhouse & A Bott

Will dice with Spicy Lu for the lead early and that may bring her unstuck over this journey.

PB Rating 6.6
Last 5 x1286
Win $8.50 Place $2.60
  • Likes Dry Track

9. Spicy Lu (8)

J: R King T: N Olive

Shocked everyone last week when she strolled to the lead early and just kept running to claim the Gr 3 Fernhill this trip. Is now unbeaten in 3 starts but will find this a lot harder and will be taken on for the lead by Bellazaine which will not help her hopes.

PB Rating 8
Last 5 111
Win $18.00 Place $4.60
  • Proven Winner

10. Tupakara (1)

J: T Berry T: A Neasham & R Archibald

Good filly but still a maiden after 5 starts. Last week was strong late when 2nd to Spicy Lu in the Gr 3 Fernhill which traditionally is much easier than this. Not keen.

PB Rating 7
Last 5 7x432
Win $19.00 Place $4.60
  • Likes Dry Track

11. Lady Pankhurst (10)

J: C Williams T: J Sargent

Was 2nd over 1000m in a Wyong maiden, then straight to Gr 3 class over a mile and was game when 3rd to Spicy Lu after being on pace all the way. Fitter now. Different tempo here and will find it tough.

PB Rating 7
Last 5 623
Win $51.00 Place $11.00
  • Likes Dry Track

12. Next Jen (7)

J: C Schofield T: A Neasham & R Archibald

Could be a sneaky place hope here at big odds. Lightly raced filly who has talent. Won maiden at Newcastle coming from a mile back over 1300m and last start was doing best work late when 5th to Nepotism over 1400m in a Gr 3. Place show.

PB Rating 8
Last 5 15
Win $10.00 Place $2.90
  • Place Performer

First 4

1. Within The Law, 2. State Visit, 3. Nepotism, 4. Buffalo

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On This Race

* PB rating based on form analysts’ opinion.