Champagne Stakes History, Results, Past Winners and Odds – 2014 Edition

The Champagne Stakes is a Group 1 race for two-year-old horses, hosted at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney during the autumn racing carnival.  This event has been run since 1861, making it one of the longest standing thoroughbred races on the Australian calendar.  Run over 1600 metres and worth $400,000 in prizemoney, the Champagne Stakes is run together with the All Aged Stakes.

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The Champagne Stakes was originally run over a distance of 5 furlongs, before becoming a 1 mile race in 1862, a 7 furlong race in 1865, and a 5 furlong race in 1867.  It altered in distance between 5 and 6 furlongs a few times during the next century, before settling at its current distance of 1600 metres with the advent of the metric system in 1973.

In 1972, the Champagne Stakes became part of the Juvenile Triple Crown, a series of races which includes the Golden Slipper Stakes, Sires Produce Stakes (ATC), and Champagne Stakes.  Six two year olds have won the Triple Crown over the years, Baguette in 1970, Luskin Star in 1977, Tierce in 1991, Burst in 1992, Dance Hero in 2004, and Pierro in 2012.

Last years Champagne Stakes winner Guelph
Last years Champagne Stakes winner Guelph

The Champagne Stakes has been won by some notable names over the years, including Chester in 1877, Heroic in 1924, Ajax in 1937, Sky High in 1960, Storm Queen in 1966, Vain in 1969, Baguette in 1970, Luskin Star in 1977, Rose of Kingston in 1981, Red Anchor in 1984, and Samantha Miss in 2008.  In the last few years, winners have included Skilled in 2010, Helmet in 2011, Pierro in 2012, and Guelph in 2013.

Over the years, The Sires has proved to be a great indicator for this event, with a number of horses winning both events in the same season.  Guelph in 2013, Pierro in 2012, Helmet in 2011, Dance Hero in 2004, Hasna in 2003, Victory Vein in 2002, Viscount in 2001, and Assertive Lad in 2000 all managed to win the Sires Produce and Champagne Stakes double.

The race record for the Champagne Stakes was set by Vain in 1969 over 6 furlongs, at a time of 1:09.40.  At the time of winning this event, Vain became the richest earning two year old horse in Australia.

In the news:

Talented sprinter-miler Taxmeifyoucan will be on trial for a trip to Brisbane when he resumes on the final day of the Sydney autumn carnival at Randwick.

A brilliant winner of the Scone Guineas last year, the Greg Hickman-trained gelding will line up in the BMW Handicap (1200m) on Saturday with his trainer opting not to claim despite his 61kg handicap.

Senior hoop Jason Collett will ride Taxmeifyoucan whose first-up statistics include a solid fourth to Riva De Lago in the Group Two Theo Marks Stakes last spring.

“He has a big weight but it’s probably better for him than having less weight and harder opposition,” Hickman said.

“If he goes really well on Saturday I will probably take him to Brisbane. If not, we’ll just poke around.

“But he trialled good the other day.”

Taxmeifyoucan has not raced since he finished down the track in the Villiers Stakes won by Ninth Legion.

He started favourite in that race and Hickman put the horse’s below-par performance down to him having come to the end of his preparation.

With Barbed an early scratching, Taxmeifyoucan will have 11 rivals on Saturday headed by $5 favourite Nothing Like Luca who makes his debut for new trainer Matthew Smith after an unbeaten three-start campaign for John O’Shea last season.

Taxmeifyoucan is on the fourth line of betting at $8.50 in a race rated the most open on Saturday’s program with Gold Epona and Boss Lane at $15 the widest in the market.

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