The Mission led all of the way to win the G1 Champagne Stakes
The man who took Choisir to the world has claimed a Group One win with one of his sons in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick.
The Mission ($9), trained by Paul Perry, led for all of the 1600m to keep the $1.85 Luxbet favourite Invader at bay by 2-1/4 lengths.
Perry took Choisir to Royal Ascot in 2003 where the colt made history by winning the two feature sprints, the King’s Stand Stakes and Golden Jubilee.
His wins set the scene for more Australians to follow suit with Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and Black Caviar all winners at the Royal meeting.
The Mission may not get that far but his win was particularly satisfying for his Newcastle trainer who has some big spring goals in mind.
“I think he will be an ideal horse for races like the Golden Rose and the Caulfield Guineas,” Perry said.
“He was held up a bit in the Sires’ Produce so the idea today was to go out in front.
“He is a horse who has always shown something. He didn’t cost much ($32,500) but I just liked him when I saw him.
“He has been his own worst enemy at times but he is talented.”
Melbourne jockey Damian Lane rode The Mission to sixth in the ATC Sires’ and that experience stood him in good stead for the Champagne.
“He’s a very tricky horse to ride and having the ride on him in the Sires’, I really learnt a lot from him,” Lane said.
“He goes very keen obviously but he doesn’t jump very well.
“I had to take off around them. It was just ugly. The way he stayed on I thought this horse has got great stamina and if he can get into his rhythm out in front like he did today I don’t think they’ll run him down.”
Although Choisir did not win beyond 1200m, The Mission’s two wins have been at 1400m and 1600m.
Invader’s jockey Hugh Bowman said the favourtire did not handle the ground which was rated the same as the ATC Sires’ Produce but considered by most jockeys as inferior because of wear and tear over the past few weeks.
