Free Wheeling has demonstrated his raw ability by winning the Group 2 Champagne Classic at Doomben Racecourse today.

The Peter Snowden-trained two-year-old sat back for the majority of the race until he made his move in the final straight, storming to victory ahead of Dr Ichi, who finished in second, and favourite Hot Snitzel, who finished third.

Free Wheeling showed that he was still a bit green in the final staged of the race, failing to run in a straight line.

However, as soon as jockey Hugh Bowman was able to straighten up the wayward juvenile he came into his own.

“He’s only lightly raced,” Bowman said.

“(He) lacked a bit of confidence.

“What he did do is he settled beautifully for me in the run.”

The jockey believes that this performance was just a snapshot of what we can expect for the remainder of Free Wheeling’s winter campaign.

“I’d be keeping an eye on this bloke for the rest of the carnival,” Bowman said.

“He has a great feel and a bright future.”

Snowden was thrilled with Free Wheeling’s winning performance but was surprised to see him act up in the straight.

“I’ve never seen him do that before,” Snowden said.

“(But) he’s relaxing really well now, (I was) glad to see that today.

“He gathered them up quickly.”

Snowden will now aim the two-year-old at the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes on June 4 and the Group 1 TJ Smith on June 11.

“The Sires’ is his next target in a fortnight and then hopefully the TJ,” he said.