Champagne Stakes 2023 – Field Preview, Odds, Horses, Speed Map and Betting Tips

TomKitten-20230408-7756 | Just Horse Racing

The third leg of the 2YO Triple Crown is the Champagne Stakes (1600m) this Saturday at Randwick and it’s all about the Sires winner Militarize, who dominates betting.

Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Champagne Stakes.

Market 💰: View the Odds for the Champagne Stakes

2023 Champagne Stakes Speed Map

Looks to be several go forward horses here but the GaiBott pair of Bases Loaded and Townsend look the main speed influences and should get control. Kintyre won’t be far away, likewise Tanhausser. Amur will likely slide over from a wide gate while Pier Pressure and Make A Call won’t be far away.

2023 Champagne Stakes Runner Preview:

1. Don Corleone: Surely an end of prep run is approaching? Had a Grand Final in the Blue Diamond, then the Golden Slipper followed up the Sires. He’s racing very well, but was comfortably held in the Sires and the gate does makes things very tricky. I’m happy to oppose him.

2. Militarize: Militarize has to be respected. Yes, he was a big price in the Sires, but if you just purely look at the run, he was dominant and made an absolute mess of them. Did he handle the conditions best? Clearly. Is he the best 1400m+ 2YO in Australia? A win here and the answer is yes. Has to be respected…but from an SP perspective, he could be slight unders, so if you like him, wait and see what the market does late.

3. Amur: Amur has been set for the race and brings fresh legs. He is three weeks between runs since a win in the Baillieu at Rosehill where he was there to be beaten but he found plenty under pressure to fend them off for a strong win. That form didn’t exactly stack up last Saturday in the Fernhill but I do like the fresh legs factor for him and he’s racing like a rise in trip will be no issue.

4. Tom Kitten: I think Tom Kitten has the engine under the hood to measure up. Not sure he beat a great deal last Saturday in the Fernhill but you had to like the way he attacked the line, especially with the extravagant action he had late. He is a big boy who will appreciate more ground in time but off that win last week, at least he has ticked the 1600m box and stable is flying with their juveniles.

5. Bases Load: Gave a sight on speed in the Sires but tired late and off that, there is no way you can say with confidence that he will run 1600m strongly. He’ll give a sight but confident he’ll get the staggers in the straight.

6. Make A Call: If he runs straight, he wins the Fernhill last Saturday. Just lost momentum at a crucial stage and threw the race away. He’s a nice horse that will have no issue with the mile. Just not sure he has another level in him whereas I think Tom Kitten does.

7. Felix The Scat: Is there such thing as a 2400m Derby for a 2YO? If so, this guy would be $1.10. He has the engine under the hood I am sure of that. His problem is brilliance. Not sure he has that, but that could be offset by the fact this could be a slog, survival of the fittest, and he will be one of the last horses standing.

8. Kintyre: Attempted to lead throughout last Saturday in the Fernhill and gave a sight but was comfortably held. Nice filly, but she’s not up to this level.

9. Townsend: He’s got 2000m+ written all over him. Very one paced in the Fernhill but I liked the way he stuck on and wasn’t beaten far behind Tom Kitten. 1600m is no issue with him, he’ll land in the first few and keep whacking away.

10. Tannhauser: He’s nearing a win. Good in defeat in the Fernhill but has too much ground to make up IMO.

11. Pier Pressure: Secured her life post racing with a third at bolters odds in the Sires. I will say the inside was no real disadvantage and she took advantage to work home well. On face value, the run had merit. But, she was $151 there. Now you have to take $10/thereabouts. She can win, but without me.

12. Mah Ali: Nice horse, will win a race…but not here.