The Mission to head to Champagne Stakes after The Schweppervescense win

Promising colt The Mission is likely to step up the 1600m of the Champagne Stakes after leading all of the way to win the Group 3 $150,000 The Schweppervescence (1400m) at Rosehill today.

The Mission, above, led all of the way to win The Schweppervescence at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Mission, above, led all of the way to win The Schweppervescence at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Corey Brown, who replaced Ben Melham who was late getting to the track, took The Mission straight to the front and even though he had trouble trying to settle the $21 outsider of the field in the early and middle stages, he still had plenty in reserve to hold off all challengers to record a two and a half lengths win over the $3 favourite Astoria.

Muraahib ($7) made up some ground on the heavy 9 track to fill third spot.

Shannon Perry, representing the stable for his father, Newcastle trainer Paul Perry, said the way that The Mission handled the 1400m today he is now likely to step him up to the 1600m of the Group 1 $500,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes at Randwick on April 15.

“It was terrific, it really was. On his work on Tuesday Dad said that if he just relax mid race he has got to be hard to beat,” Shannon Perry said.

“His work was enormous.”

“Missing the Slipper might have been in hindsight a blessing now he can go to Randwick with good form and might be the fresh horse on the scene.”

“Maybe to the mile (Champagne Stakes), we will see what Corey says and see how the horse pulls up and we will make the decision then.”

Today’s win was The Mission’s first from six race starts but he showed he would be competitive today after running fourth to Single Bullet in the Group 3 $175,000 Cafe Culture + Insitu Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago.

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.