Kerrin McEvoy predicts a very bright future for Darley two year old Guelph after the filly won her second Group 1 with a narrow win in the Group 1 $400,000 Moet & Chandon 150th Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick today.

Guelph grabs a last stride win in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Guelph had to produce an electrifying finish after being badly held up behind the pack at the top of the rise and the filly was able to grab leader Fuerza in the final stride.

Jockey Jim Cassidy was denied another Group 1 after looking to have stolen it before the home turn when he skipped away but was unable to hang on with the judge’s decision going to Peter Snowden’s filly.

“She’s a classy filly, and obviously been nicely prepared and knows her job,” McEvoy said.

“She’s a pleasure to be around and is only going to get better.”

Snowden will now send Guelph to the paddock before preparing her for the Spring after adding the Champagne Stakes victory to her win in the Group 1 $500,000 Inglis Sires Produce Stakes (1400m).

Snowden thought that Guelph was out of contention when she was so far back in the early stages of the straight and was expecting her to finish the race off without winning.

“It was just unfortunate she was just too far back I thought. We had a plan to be in the first half a dozen today,” Snowden said.

“She got a mile back and I thought it’s just too much to do especially when the leader kicked and it was going to be a sprint home for the last 600m.”

“I think she’s right up there with the best of them his season.”

Guelph started the $2.50 favourite and had punters hearts in their mouths before grabbing a last stride victory over $26 chance Fuerza who looked like he was going to hold off the challengers.

The Gai Waterhouse trained Equator ($20) also ran a cheeky race to finish a close third with Drago ($21) catching the eye with a fast finishing fourth.