One to Watch – Mornington

Tara Madgwick - Monday October 19

The Mornington meeting on Monday provided Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne with her first training treble and one of those winners may never win a Melbourne Cup, but he’s certainly bred to be there.

Advertisement

Think Champayne wins at Mornington - image Natasha Morello / Racing Photos
Four year-old So You Think gelding Think Champayne was fit and ready go at his fourth run back from a spell and stepped out to 2460m was sent to the front by Payne.

She rated him well in the lead and Think Champayne had enough left to hold on and win by half a neck at his fifth start.

A $120,000 Inglis Premier purchase from the Millford Thoroughbreds draft for First Light Racing / M Payne / P Willetts, Think Champayne is a half-brother to stakes-winners Nadedge and Martique, the dam of Group I winner Charmont, who is by So You think’s sire High Chaparral (IRE).

He is the ninth winner from Zabeel’s dual Group I winner Champagne, who was second to Jezabeel in a Melbourne Cup.

Think Champayne was the first leg of a winning treble for Michelle Payne, who also rode two of them herself.

Think Champayne  was the first of three winners for Michelle Payne followed by Argus and Cape Victory (IRE).


 

Advertisment

Race Result - Tim Nagle Mdn Plate 2460m

Mornington Track: Soft(5) Time: 2:41.55
1
Think Champayne
- 4g So You Think (NZ) x Champagne (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Michelle Payne Rdr: Ms Michelle Payne 59.5
2
0.2
Art Major
- 4g Artie Schiller (USA) x Arazi Belle (AUS) (Arazi (USA))
Tnr: Robert Kingston Rdr: Ben Allen 59.5
3
2.7
Bloodwood
- 6m Redwood (GB) x Sister (AUS) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: Scott Cameron Rdr: J Mott 57.5
4
7.2
Masterkindu
- 4g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Kindu (GB) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: Henry Dwyer Rdr: Lucinda Boyd 59.5
5
7.9
The Fettler
- 5g Americain (USA) x Fine Fettle (AUS) (Blevic (AUS))
Tnr: Claire Patterson Rdr: D Moor 59.5
6
8.7
Praise The Power
- 5g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Swissac (AUS) (Secret Savings (USA))
Tnr: Susie Wells Rdr: Chris Symons 59.5
7
9.4
Classy One
- 4m Ocean Park (NZ) x Classy Choice (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Wayne Walters Rdr: N Callow 57.5
8
9.7
Petrus
- 5g Pierro (AUS) x Gallica (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Ms B Dunn Rdr: J Maskiell 59.5
9
9.9
My Buttons Bigger
- 4g Smart Missile (AUS) x Rain Special (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Patrick Keane Rdr: Jordan Childs 59.5
More Reading...
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Sire Power Highlights Quality MM Horses in Training Catalogue
An incredible selection of the country's best proven and hottest young sires will feature at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale in October.
G1 Plan for Kiwi Sprinter Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week.
Al Riffa Aiming Towards Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock
The exceptional qualities of Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) are such that he can get fast juveniles and also high class older horses over a distance and we are set to see a taste of it this spring as media reports suggest Australian Bloodstock have purchased his top class 5YO stallion Al Riffa.
Melbourne Cup Dreaming for Kiwi Stayer
Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang, and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday.
Trial Winner for Captivant
Captivant’s early promise was on full display at today’s Waipa trials when Capital Express stormed to victory in Heat 4. The Paul Pertab-trained 2YO colt impressed early, showcasing the speed and class expected of his G1 Champagne Stakes-winning sire in a performance that marked him as one to watch.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 26
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.