The Champagne – Grade I [BC] [KYD]
1 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $500.000 Open 2 Year Olds.

1st Obi Wan Allinthegate Corrales G

The first six home in this race were all valued at over ten to one by the odds monkeys, so it just goes to show how open the juvenile races are this year as we head to the BC. You can’t blame the punters for not picking this one but there was no glaring reason not to and that was the case for many of these runners. Good works, a good draw, a game win last time and as it turned out the perfect stalking trip and, in the end, a fairly comfortable one length winner. The trainer will be thrilled with their home bred just as they should be because the gamble they took on his sire has finally paid off. How he does in the BC is anyone’s guess but two wins from three starts and he must be among the favorites come November.

2nd Mooresy Big Guns Stables Saez L

Set a strong early pace and probably went a bit hard around halfway and in the end paid the price with the horse that was stalking him and saving energy. This was a strong effort from a difficult draw, and he lost nothing in defeat, a turnaround in gate positions and the result could’ve been different. He should find himself in the BC and his on-pace style will give the trainer a great sight.

3rd Domestic Product D J C Racing Stables Smith M E

The trainer was to have a great day and though this one didn’t win he certainly ran a great race flying home from the clouds to take third. It was an interesting change in running style after three on-pace runs and one that had the look of an AI trying to save a sprinters energy as he had been comfortably on the pace in shorter races. At only 15.1hh he clearly has some furnishing still to do and he is a decent prospect for the yard going forward.

4th Turning Point TwinTowersRacing Davis D

Another flyer from the back coming from even further behind than the third placed horse he made up so much ground at the end that in another furlong he may well have collared the win. I am not sure where this puts him as the trainer will now take his eye off the BC and turn towards the TC, but I never trust a sprinting winner that becomes a deep closer in a route, at least not until they can run the race at both ends.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES