Read what the jockeys and winning trainer had to say about their horses in the G1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick on 19/4/2025.
Winning Trainer: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes (Michael speaking)
On the winner: “He’s just a proper horse. When he was at the back and when they were running along I was thinking whether they were going hard enough.”
“I said to Tyler that we’ll have to slice and dice and come through them. We came around the corner and I thought ‘is he going to get there’, but he has an exceptional turn-of-foot.”
“Last to first, unbelievable.”
“Dad won a Doncaster. Neil Werrett and his partners, they’ve been so patient. His win in the Baillieu was outstanding. We just love making colts.”
On their autumn: “It hasn’t been frustrating. We haven’t been anywhere. The last few years have been hard. We’ve been plagued by injuries. A lot of people don’t see that. There have been a few doubters. There have been a few knockers.”
“But you know what? We’re still there doing it day in and day out. You win a Blue Diamond, you win a TJ, you go and win a Champagne. It has just been a phenomenal ride and our younger brigade are starting to shine.”
Winning Jockey: Tyler Schiller
On the race: “The tempo didn’t feel that strong to me from when I was at the 800. I was ‘watching the bird fly in front of me’ and thought that we had left it too late.”
“Michael said not to swoop them because we won’t win if we do. From the 600 (metre mark) I was waiting to cut the corner. Federalist was going nowhere in front of us but it was an incredible win.”
“I feel like he peaked at the 100 but he had that tenacity to win. He’s a greedy colt and a really tough effort today.”
“He’s a great colt and he picked up when I needed him to. He’s got a great will to win and a great tenacity. To get him to this trip so quickly, and through a couple of hot form races, he’s a great colt and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.”
Could he get further: “I wouldn’t say no. He’s a relaxed colt and he’s got a great turn-of-foot. It will just be whether tempos at those trips are suitable for him but today we had to take our medicine and I’m glad it paid off.”
Relationship with the Hawkes’: “It has been fantastic. I said to my manager 12 months ago that the Hawkes team had some really nice two-year-olds coming through and I am happy to put myself in their basket and hope I’ll get rewarded for it.”
“Geez it has been a rewarding journey. They’re great people and a great team. To get all these horses coming through at the right time, it is a marvelous result and I’m lucky and glad enough to be on them.”
Beaten Jockeys:
James McDonald (State Visit): “He is a very nice horse. Will be better with a prep.”
Jason Collett (Buffalo): “Had a soft enough run. I was able to get out under Within The Law which I thought might help him.”
Mark Zahra (Is It Spectacular): “Just a bit new for that sort of race.”
Zac Lloyd (Michelangelo): “Good run. They just were way too sharp for him. Between the 600 to the 400 they left him. Through the line he was picking up nicely. Could be a progressive 3yo stayer.”
Nash Rawiller (Federalist): “Got back a long way. When they quickened again before the corner, they dropped him a touch. Last furlong was terrific. Horse for the future.”
Kerrin McEvoy (Within The Law): “Great run by her. Ran the trip out strongly. Just got bowled over the last little part. Good to see her run that trip because at three it opens up lots of doors in good races.”
Tim Clark (Bellazaine): “She wants to just work against you a little bit over that sort of trip. She is better flowing in a shorter race.”
Rachel King (Spicy Lu): “Really proud of her. She backed up in seven days and run an outstanding race again. Will be a lovely 3yo.”
Tommy Berry (Tupakara): “I got a bit excited at the 300m. She put herself into the race really well today. Just took a couple of nice ones to get over her late.”
Craig Williams (Lady Pankhurst): “The barrier was a big disadvantage. I think she will be a nice quality 3yo filly. Just trying to get these middle distance races over too fast at the moment.”
Chad Schofield (Next Jen): “Below par run. She has come to the end of her prep. I think she will furnish into a lovely horse.”
