Champagne Classic

A capacity final field of two-year-olds has been announced for this Saturday’s $150,000 Group 3 Bollinger Champagne Classic (1200m), the latest group race for juveniles at the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

One of the early favourites for this year’s Champagne Classic is Tony Gollan’s in-form Sequalo colt Spirit Of Boom. A winner of three of their five career races, Spirit Of Boom is coming off a last start victory in the $100,000 Listed Ken Russell Memorial over 1200m at the Gold Coast.

Drawn just worse than mid-field in barrier 10, Spirit Of Boom will be ridden by star hoop Stathi Katsidis.

The biggest winner in the barrier draw was the colt that ran second to Spirit Of Boom in the Ken Russell, Adebisi. The Desleigh Forster-trained son of Shovhog has come up with gate one for Saturday as they attempt their third career victory and will have Shane Scriven aboard.

A number of high quality two-year-olds from interstate have been paid up for in the Brisbane feature including the Peter Snowden-trained Lonhro colt Secession, and Lee Freedman’s well-bred colt Smokin’ Joey having just his second career start after winning on debut in a stunning last-to-first victory in the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on May 1.

Smokin’ Joey is one of three Victorian raiders looking to make history and become the first horse from Victoria to claim victory in the Champagne Classic since its inception in 1982.

The other two are promising Statue Of Liberty filly Broadway Harmony who won the Listed Dequetteville Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville last start, and the filly Broadway Harmony beat in the Dequetteville, Jesse’s Girl.

All three have suffered a blow with poor barrier draws, Smokin’ Joey with barrier 11, the Darren Weir-trained Broadway Harmony in barrier 19 and Blake Shinn mount Jessie’s Girl with barrier 18.

Another classy youngster engaged in the 2010 Champagne Classic is unbeaten Mossman gelding Buffering. Trained by Rob Heathcote, who is attempting his third win in the event following his success with Chenar (2003) and Funtantes (2009), Buffering has drawn ideally in barrier two.

The headline event at Doomben on Saturday is of course the $500,000 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) where Road To Rock will have his final race before going to stud.

The bumper race card also features other great black type events including the $175,000 Group 3 Doomben Roses (2020m), the $125,000 Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) and the $100,000 Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1615m).

Stay up-to-date with the latest on these races by visiting Doomben.com.au.

The 2010 Bollinger Champagne Classic is scheduled as race five due to jump at 2:25pm and IASbet is the place to go for all your horse racing selections.

2010 Champagne Classic Final Field & Barriers