A small field of six will step out in Saturday’s Group 1 Champagne Stakes with all eyes on odds-on favourite Fireburn.
The lightly-raced daughter of Rebel Dane is hoping to become the first horse since Pierro in 2012 to complete the Golden Slipper, Sires’ Produce, Champagne Stakes Triple Crown, and also the seventh favourite to win the race over the last decade.
Can anyone knock off Gary Portelli’s superstar two-year-old?
Check out our thoughts on every runner in our 2022 Champagne Stakes Preview!
1. Let’srollthedice (4)
- Record: 3-2:0:1
- Track: 1:0-0-1
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Danny O’Brien
- Jockey: Damian Lane
Won well on debut at Bendigo last month and proved that was no fluke taking out the VRC Sires’ second-up at Flemington over 1400m. Gave it his all in the Sires’ Produce a couple of weeks ago when third to Fireburn and should see out the mile quite nicely in his fourth run back. Handles all going but doubt he causes an upset.
2. Williamsburg (3)
- Record: 5:3-1-0
- Track: 1:1-0-0
- Distance: 1:1-0-0
- Trainer: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou
- Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Steps out in search of his hat-trick after winning back-to-back starts at Rosehill and Randwick. Ran from second-last to first in the Fernhill Stakes and maps to get another lovely run off the speed. Has that win over the mile now to his name and is as genuine as they come. Definitely capable of challenging the favourite.
3. Counttheheadlights (5)
- Record: 4:1-0-0
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- Jockey: John Allen
Resumed from a freshen-up to run fifth in the Sires’ Produce where he was seen motoring home late. Won well on debut at The Valley to start the year and lost no admirers when a couple of lengths behind Daumier in the Blue Diamond. Tough to know if he’ll handle the conditions, but he looks a smart horse in the making out of a leading stable. Don’t dismiss him for a place.
4. Wealthy Investor (1)
- Record: 5:0-0-2
- Track: 2:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Damian Lane
Jockey: Joshua Parr
Raced well in his maiden prep late last year but has struggled since stepping up in grade this time in work. Failed to make up much ground after racing three-wide in the Sires’ and has struggled on rain-affected going so far.
5. Fireburn (2)
- Record: 6:5-0-0
- Track: 3:3-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Gary Portelli
Jockey: Brenton Avdulla
Golden Slipper and Sires’ Produce winner hoping to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Pierro in 2012. Has turned into something of a Randwick specialist with three wins on the board and is arguably one of the best two-year-olds we’ve seen in recent times. Loves the sting out of the ground and all reports from the stable suggest she’s in great knick ahead of her grand final. Fitter now for three runs back and will take a power of beating in this small field.
6. She’s Extreme (6)
- Record: 5:1-2-0
- Track: 2:0-2-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Anthony Cummings
- Jockey: Tommy Berry
Loomed as the winner in the Sires’ last time out but was simply outmatched by Fireburn in the late stages. Won the Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill three back before a complete forgive run in the Golden Slipper. Looks the main danger to the favourite after running second to her twice, and will likely try and make her own luck on-speed again under Tommy Berry.