One to Watch – Wyong

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday June 24

The juvenile maiden at Wyong on Tuesday had some interesting runners including the highest price yearling by Maurice (Jpn) sold in 2024 and he did take the win, but it was not without drama.

A good colt and a good filly go head to head- Champagne Hero awarded the win on the outside - image Bradley Photography

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Champagne Hero made his debut at Canterbury a couple of weeks ago when fourth to exciting colts Autumn Boy and Central Coast, who has since come out and won.

Punters liked the strength of that form and he was sent out favourite with Regan Bayliss to ride in the 1350m contest.

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The Sara Ryan trained Anders filly Sapling led for home and gave a great kick to hold the colt off and win by a narrow margin, but the head on vision showed she had laid out badly at the finish with stewards giving the race to the colt on protest.

The first two gapped the rest with more than five lengths back to third indicating both will be worth following into metro class.

Champagne Hero was a $600,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Rosemont Stud draft for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Kestrel Thoroughbreds and Rosemont retain an interest in his ownership.

Champagne Hero was a $600,000 Magic Millions purchase and the highest priced yearling for his sire in 2024.

He is a full brother to stakes-placed Killiako and good Sydney metro winner Pippie Beach being the third winner from Group I placed stakes-winner Soft Sand.

Soft Sand went back again last year to Maurice, who stands at Arrowfield at a fee of $55,000.

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Race Result - Austbrokers Mdn Hcp 1350m

Wyong Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:19.36
1
Champagne Hero
- 2c Maurice (JPN) x Soft Sand (AUS) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 57
2
0.1
Sapling
- 2f Anders (AUS) x Sop (AUS) (Dodge (AUS))
Tnr: Sara Ryan Rdr: Ashley Morgan 55
3
5.4
Contemplates
- 2f Ghaiyyath (IRE) x Entertains (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Rachel King 55
4
7.4
Fiery Lass
- 2f Hellbent (AUS) x Lope De Lope (AUS) (Lope De Vega (IRE))
Tnr: R J Quinton Rdr: Reece Jones 55
5
8.2
Qatar
- 2c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Harlow Gold (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J R Collett 56
6
8.6
Delicious Derek
- 2c The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Tight Ropes (AUS) (Brazen Beau (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Braith Nock 54.5
7
9.7
La Morra
- 2f Toronado (IRE) x Evo Campo (IRE) (Approve (IRE))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: Brock Ryan 55
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