Fireball is one of the leading contenders in the Champagne Stakes
The first of the Group l races at Randwick this Saturday is the Champagne Stakes (1600m), where Campione D’Italia dominates betting.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 Champagne Stakes.
2026 Champagne Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Campione D’Italia: Campione D’Italia is the one to beat. Not sure he was 100% happy on the wet track in the Sires but class came to the fore and he was strong to the line in winning. The extra 200m should be fine, especially on a firmer deck, and is one of the hardest to beat.
2. Fireball: Thought he was solid in the Sires and I think will appreciate firmer footing. Just not sure if there is petrol left in the tank.
3. Zambales: Nice horse but I think he’s one for the Spring. I think he’s had enough.
4. Southend: Dominant win in the Baillieu, backing up the debut win at Newcastle. He is the one with fresh legs and different form to suggest he’s in the mix.
5. Diameter: Bless him winning last Saturday, but they walked on speed and relative to the day, walked home. If he wins, too good, but hard against.
6. Persian Wonder: Persian Wonder is knocking on the door for David Payne. He ran second in the Baillieu from a few weeks back, getting a peach from J Mac and drove hard in the straight but just found one better. 1600m at Randwick looks ideal, he commands respect.
7. Don’t Look Back: Solid in the Fernhill but not for me here.
8. Nomadic: Looks a nice colt, solid in the Baillieu, but the task here looks too great.
9. Am I Dreaming: Okay in the Fernhill but not suited here. Home track, could be one for the Clarendon.
10. Miss Chanel: Miss Chanel is an iron filly for GaiBott. I thought she had none in the Sires but I loved the way she kept chasing and attacking the line in defeat behind Campione D’Italia. The rise to 1600m, I think, is okay…just depends what is left in the tank.
11. Grinzinger Heart: Very much flattered in an ordinary VRC Sires IMO and will struggle against these.
12. Salann: She was the eye catcher in the Fernhill and will be strong late…a win wouldn’t totally shock.
13. Sumac: She is on the seven day back up, but really, Sumac will bring fresh legs into this race. Little luck in the Baillieu and then the Fernhill last Saturday was basically a barrier trial. I think she’ll eat up the mile and yes, the favourite is hard to beat, but outside him, this race is very thin, so I think she is in with a shout.
2026 Champagne Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$10 Win/$40 Place on Persian Wonder and Sumac
Group l Strategy Outlay: $6100
Group l Strategy Return: $4927
Champagne Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CAMPIONE D’ITALIA | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 4 | 56.5kg |
| 2 | FIREBALL | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 2 | 56.5kg |
| 3 | ZAMBALES | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 56.5kg |
| 4 | SOUTHEND | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Dylan Gibbons | 5 | 56.5kg |
| 5 | DIAMETER | Chris Waller | Adam Hyeronimus | 8 | 56.5kg |
| 6 | PERSIAN WONDER (NZ) | David Payne | Chad Schofield | 11 | 56.5kg |
| 7 | DON’T LOOK BACK | Paul Perry | Ethan Brown | 13 | 56.5kg |
| 8 | NOMADIC | John Thompson | Nash Rawiller | 9 | 56.5kg |
| 9 | AM I DREAMING | Jack Pilkington | Ms Jamie Melham | 10 | 56.5kg |
| 10 | MISS CHANEL | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Regan Bayliss | 12 | 54.5kg |
| 11 | GRINZINGER HEART | Ben Brisbourne | Craig Williams | 7 | 54.5kg |
| 12 | SALANN | Ben Brisbourne | Jason Collett | 1 | 54.5kg |
| 13 | SUMAC | Lee & Cherie Curtis | Zac Lloyd | 6 | 54.5kg |
Champagne Stakes Odds
2026 Champagne Stakes Speed Map
Can’t see much early pressure here, with Diameter, who was ridden with intent in the Fernhill, likely taking it up. Fireball with Tim Clark on should settle handy, likewise Miss Chanel from a wide draw. Don’t Look Back could be given a dig in the ribs.
