FEATURE PREVIEWS: CHAMPAGNE STAKES
CHAMPAGNE STAKES PREVIEW
Group 1 | SW, 2YO | $1,000,000 | Rail: +6m 1000m-W/Post, +5m Remainder | Track Conditions: Good 4
7 fillies have won the race in the last 20 years with She’s Extreme the latest back in 2022. Amazingly, 42 horses have won the AJC Sires-Champagne double with 10 doing the Golden Slipper-Champagne Double.
HISTORICAL PROFILING – LAST 11 YEARS
- 3rd up (2), 4th up (3), 5th up (4), 6th up (3)
- 7-day break (1), 14-day break (11)
- Settled 1st-2nd (3), Settled 3rd-8th (6), Settled 10th-12th (2)
- Fillies (5), Colts (7)
- Career Starts 3-7 (12)
- Barriers 1-6 (11), Barrier 12 (1)
- SP under $9.50 (12)
G1 Sires Produce is the key leadup, with 10 of the past 12 winners coming out of the Sires Produce.
PRICE ADVANTAGE HISTORY
Broadsiding got up last year at the $3.70 BSP which edged best tote by 1.2% after commission.
Militarize produced nearly identical numbers the year before.
She’s Extreme was a huge result for punters in 2022, with the $6.74 BSP dwarfing best tote by 15.4% post commission!
SPEED MAP
BELLAZAINE has led in her last four and looks the natural leader up to 1600m. SPICY LU draws outside her and she led the Fernhill and dominated from the front last week. She can definitely add pressure but she won’t get her own way this week. IS IT SPECTACULAR can be handy from a low barrier, like he was over 1300m first-up.
CHAMPAGNE STAKES | RACE PREVIEW
Three key lead ups and all three are very different. Four of these come through the Baillieu on April 1, four through the Sires’ on April 5 and four through the Fernhill last Saturday. The Group 3 Baillieu was run at Rosehill over 1400m, run on a wet track, won impressively by #2 NEPOTISM. While it might not be the best lead up, on a different track on a rain affected surface, we feel the winner is very smart. #2 NEPOTISM actually meets the four horses he beat there better at the weights, dropping 1.5kg and the way he found the line, it’s hard to see anything from that event turning the tables. Given the different circumstances, we wonder whether there will be some resistance in the market.
The Sires’ is often the right lead up with a whopping 42 horses having done the double. It didn’t look an overly strong edition this year and there was five horses withing 0.7 of a length across the finish line which doesn’t fill you with confidence that it is the right form reference this year. The run of the race was probably #3 BUFFALO, who flew late, running race fastest sectionals and making huge ground late. Yes to a mile No knock on #1 STATE VISIT who ran second. #8 BELLAZAINE led that sires and ended up running 6th. There is a line there with #7 WITHIN THE LAW.
The other lead up was the Fernhill, won by #9 SPICY LU who rolled forward and stole the race, going at an extremely slow tempo (15.1 lengths slower than class benchmark). While it was a sit, sprint, #9 SPICY LU was still strong late, running a race fastest final 200m. #10 TUPAKARA ran a good second and does meet the winner 2.5kg better at the weights, dropping 3.5kg.
#4 IS IT SPECTACULAR is the wildcard, coming from a completely different form reference, winning first-up midweek at Warwick Farm.
TOP 4 SELECTIONS
#2 NEPOTISM
#3 BUFFALO
#1 STATE VISIT
#8 BELLAZAINE
BETTING STRATEGY
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) #2 Nepotism for 3 units
Keen #2 NEPOTISM. Although it might not be the natural lead up, confident he is the best horse. Can save on #3 BUFFALO.
BACK (WIN) #3 Buffalo for 1 unit
Keen #2 NEPOTISM. Although it might not be the natural lead up, confident he is the best horse. Can save on #3 BUFFALO.
Champagne Stakes Betting Tips
The Champagne Stakes is the final Group 1 of Sydney’s two-year-old Triple Crown, run over 1600 metres at Royal Randwick during the final day of The Championships. As the only major juvenile race at the mile distance, it provides a unique test of stamina, class, and maturity for the age group. With a mix of proven sprinting form and promising types stepping up in trip, punters rely on trusted Champagne Stakes tips to make sense of a field where talent and timing are everything.
This race often features horses coming through the Golden Slipper or Sires’ Produce Stakes, as well as late bloomers peaking at the right time. Understanding each runner’s preparation, suitability to the mile, and tactical setup is essential to making confident betting choices. That’s where Betfair Hub comes in — offering you detailed racing tips backed by real data, form analysis and market intelligence.
Our Champagne Stakes tips are crafted by expert analysts who take into account everything from breeding and sectionals to track conditions and race shape. Not every two-year-old is ready for the 1600m journey at this stage of their career, so identifying genuine stayers from tired sprinters is critical. We assess which horses are likely to see out the trip strongly, and which might struggle when the pressure goes on late.
Flemington’s long straight can give swoopers every chance, but race tempo plays a massive role in the outcome. Our predictions consider expected speed maps, barrier draws, and riding tactics to anticipate how the race will unfold — giving you a clearer picture of how each contender stacks up under race-day conditions.
When it comes to the best bets in the Champagne Stakes, value is key. Some runners will be coming off high-profile performances in Group 1 races, while others may be flying under the radar after strong efforts in lesser-known lead-ups. Our tips balance short-priced favourites with genuine roughies that tick the right boxes from a timing and profile perspective.
If you’re betting today, make sure to check our updated preview ahead of the jump. We account for any late changes such as scratchings, gear adjustments or track upgrades that can affect how the race plays out. Every detail counts — especially in a race where lightly raced horses can improve sharply or regress just as quickly.
The Champagne Stakes may mark the end of the two-year-old Group 1 season, but it often produces stars of the future. Horses that shine here can go on to have successful three-year-old campaigns in the spring, which is why this race is always worth a close look from a long-term punting perspective.
Check back regularly for fresh Champagne Stakes tips, expert insights, and betting analysis to help you find an edge in one of the most intriguing juvenile races of the year.
