Panzer Division to upset the favourites in Spring Champion Stakes

Tye Angland is confident that his mount Panzer Division can cause an upset win in the Group 1 $400,000 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick today.

Tye Angland says Panzer Division has the credentials to cause an upset win in the Spring Champion Stakes. Photo by Steve Hart.

Tye Angland says Panzer Division has the credentials to cause an upset win in the Spring Champion Stakes. Photo by Steve Hart.

Bookmakers have tagged the Spring Champion Stakes a two horse war between the John Thompson trained filly First Seal and the unbeaten Godolphin colt Sweynesse.

There is not much between the two at Ladbrokes.com.au with First Seal marked at $2.10 ahead of Sweynesse at $2.90 while Panzer Division is on the third line of betting at $7.50.

Panzer Division was too strong against the three year olds in winning the Group 3 $125,000 Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on September 6 before running a respectable race against the weight for age horses when two and a half lengths fifth to Sacred Falls in the Group 1 $350,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 20.

“Panzer Division was just beaten in the George Main Stakes behind our best weight-for-age horses in Sydney,’’ Angland told The Daily Telegraph.

“The form from that race is really standing up. Royal Descent has since run second in the Epsom and Lucia Valentina came out and won the Turnbull Stakes.

“My colt only has to reproduce his last start run over the 2000m — I reckon he will run the trip — and he will be hard to hold out.’’

Angland isn’t dismissing the ability of First Seal and Sweynesse who have come through the three year old ranks with flying colours and knows they will be hard to beat in the Spring Champion Stakes.

Sweynesse is undefeated from four race starts, his latest a dominant win in the Group 3 $200,000 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill on September 27 while First Seal showed her class with two wins at Randwick in the Group 2 $175,000 Coolmore Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) and the Group 1 $400,000 Coolmore Flight Stakes (1600m) last week.

“They are both very good and it is hard to split them as they have been running in different races,’’ Angland said.

“First Seal’s win in the Flight Stakes was very dominant, particularly how quickly she put them away.

“I thought she was a bit stronger on the line than Sweynesse but it will be a very good race.”

Panzer Division has been racing on the pace at his recent starts and Angland will probably have to go forward again from the outside barrier of the nine horse field.

Sweynesse with Blake Shinn in the saddle will jump from gate three while First Seal with Jason Collett has drawn one to the outside at four.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.