Small nominations for Champagne Stakes

The Australian Turf Club has been forced to extend nominations for the Group 1 $400,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday after only nine two year olds were entered today.

Pasadena Girl is one of 9 two year olds nominated for the Champagne Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.

Pasadena Girl is one of 9 two year olds nominated for the Champagne Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.

Extra nominations can now be taken up to 11am on Tuesday, April 14, 2015.

The Rodney Northam trained Odyssey Moon looks to be one of the top fancies following his second to the smart Pride Of Dubai in the Group 1 $1m Inglis Sires (1400m) at Randwick on April 6, the first day of ‘The Championships’.

Peter Moody’s well performed filly Pasadena Girl will clash again with Odyssey Moon after finishing one and a half lengths fourth to Pride Of Dubai in the Inglis Sires and the top Caulfield trainer is hoping to add another Sydney Autumn Carnival Group 1 win to his tally after taking out the $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 14 with Plucky Belle.

Moody had reservations about Pasadena Girl competing as a two year old and is looking forward to her developing in her three year old season, but the Savabeel filly has performed superbly with a debut win in the Listed $120,000 Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on February 21 followed by a win in the Group 3 $150,000 TBV Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on March 14.

“I actually didn’t think she would be a two-year-old,” Moody told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“There isn’t that much of her but she is a racehorse.

“Gee she tries hard. You would like a stable of horses like her.

“You look at her and think I hope she can develop because she really needs to, but when they are going as good as she, is it is worth a try in a Group 1.”

The John O’Shea trained Tarquin is stepping up to the 1600m following his fifth in the Inglis Sires which was his only defeat from three race starts.

The Hard Spun colt scored first up over 1300m in a Newcastle maiden on February 19 before winning the Group 2 $175,000 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 14.

Takedown will be facing his toughest test to date as trainer Gary Moore steps the Stratum youngster up to Group 1 company for the first time.

Takedown is coming off a hat trick of wins after scoring a comfortable victory in the Group 3 $150,000 The Schweppervescence (1400m) at Rosehill on March 28 which followed wins in an 1100m Hawkesbury maiden on February 26 and in the Group 3 $275,000 Seppelt Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra on March 8.

The rest of the Champagne Stakes nominations are made up by Mine Two, Reckless Russell, Rhode Assassin, Street Rapper and The Barrister.

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.