Randwick Race 6 – 14:55 AEST
OPEN GROUP 1
1600m
$500,000
GOOD 4
Rail out 6m to WP. Out 4m remainder
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 1133 | CASTELVECCHIO | RICHARD LITT | JOSH PARR (4) | 56.5 | $3.60 |
| 2 | x8621 | POWER SCHEME | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | MARK ZAHRA (6) | 56.5 | $11 |
| 3 | 31317 | VINCO | TONY MCEVOY | HUGH BOWMAN (11) | 56.5 | $19 |
| 4 | 113 | FORTRESS COMMAND | GERALD RYAN | BRETT PREBBLE (1) | 56.5 | $9.5 |
| 5 | 34x70 | WAR BARON | DAVID PAYNE | JASON COLLETT (10) | 56.5 | $126 |
| 6 | 855 | DAWN TOO GOOD | GARY MOORE | TIM CLARK (9) | 56.5 | $126 |
| 7 | 480 | PERSAN | DAVID PAYNE | GLYN SCHOFIELD (5) | 56.5 | $51 |
| 8 | 5 | PRINCE FAWAZ | ANTHONY CUMMINGS | A HYERONIMUS (8) | 56.5 | $51 |
| 9 | 1642 | LOVING GABY | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | JAMES MCDONALD (7) | 54.5 | $2.25 |
| 10 | 1x591 | LADY LUPINO | DANNY O'BRIEN | DAMIAN LANE (2) | 54.5 | $11 |
| 11 | 326 | CRYSTAL FALLS | J G SARGENT | JAY FORD (12) | 54.5 | $18 |
| 12 | 4x551 | CHIA | BRAD WIDDUP | COREY BROWN (3) | 54.5 | $31 |
Odds correct as of 9am Friday 19 April
OVERVIEW
A small field lines up in the 2019 edition of the Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes, but that takes little away from the spectacle. The race still has all the makings of a quality Group 1 race with a number of runners staking their claim to win. The Champagne Stakes is the final leg of the 2YO Triple Crown in Australia, however no runners are eligible to take that out here
SPEED MAP
Lady Lupino should ensure this is a quickly run mile – she’ll likely lead from barrier 2. Chia and Dawn Too Good are also likely to push forward. Loving Gaby should be somewhat prominent as well from a middle barrier. There are a few backmarkers here, notably 2nd favourite Castelvecchio.
KEY RUNNERS
- CASTELVECCHIO ($3.60)
Displays an electric turn of foot and that was displayed on his career debut at Canterbury Park where he grew wings and stormed home to beat Just Zerene. Last start in the Group 1 Sires Produce he was 4L back at the turned and again stormed home to finish 3rd, under a length away from Microphone. Will appreciate the rise to 1600m.
- FORTRESS COMMAND ($9.50)
Scored two nice victories to kick off his preparation/career and arguably should have been a factor last start where he was not able to get going until late. Once he was going however, he let down a strong run to finish third. Blinkers go on here today and with the right run, he could prove to be a factor here.
- LOVING GABY ($2.25)
Has been knocking on the door this prep, putting in multiple eye-catching runs – firstly in the Blue Diamond where she rattled home after being held up and then again in the Slipper where she sat 4 and 5 wide without cover yet finished off strongly for 4th. She put in another solid run last time out and should be at peak fitness here.
BLUEY’S PICK
- CASTELVECCHIO ($3.60)
This is an interesting race, but for mine, Castelvecchio has the most upside here. Loving Gaby put in an absolute gut buster in the Slipper and may have been a touch flat last start, but Castelvecchio was only first up and is likely to take serious improvement from that brilliant first up run. The jump to 1600m should be perfect for Castelvecchio here and he looks very tough to beat
