The Champagne Stakes is a Group 3 set weights race for three-year-old Fillies held each September at Moonee Valley on a Friday evening during the Melbourne spring racing carnival. The race is run over a distance of 1200 metres and worth $150,000 in prizemoney. The 2011 Champagne Stakes was won by Miss Stellabelle from Platelet with Miss Zoom third.
The fillies only event takes place on the same night as the Group 1 Manikato Stakes which is the feature sprint event of the spring for the Moonee Valley Racing Club.
The Champagne Stakes is a handy race for fillies and typically suits female gallopers who may not be up to the stronger class filly events generally held at a Saturday meeting. The set weight conditons of the race gives the better fillies a decided edge and prior form around the Moonee Valley circuit is always an advantage.
Typically a race for more than handy fillies, the race has been won by some quality types over the years including Avenue (2009), Fair Embrace (2001), St Clemens Belle (1998), With Me (1990) and Courtza (1989) Top galloper Ortensia (2nd in 2007) managed to finish second in this race before going on to success in much better races as a mare.
Miss Stellabelle (2011) won a 3yo Maiden over 1100m at Bendigo prior to winning this race and recent Champagne Stakes winners include Lone Rock (2010) and Avenue (2009).
Spring Carnival Guide
Lone Rock (2010) went on to run third in the Gr3 Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day, while Jesse's Girl (2nd in 2010) ran second in the Gr3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield on Caulfield Guineas Day behind Solar Charged (9th in 2010) who won that race after finishing unplaced in this event.
Avenue (2009) led all the way to win this race and then won the Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield and Gr3 Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day.
Rostova (2nd in 2009) won the Gr1 Goodwood at Morphettville the following autumn while Faint Perfume (5th in 2009) ran third in the Gr1 Thousand Guineas at her next start before taking out the premier Flemington spring races the Gr2 Wakeful Stakes and Gr1 Crown Oaks later in the carnival.
2011 Champagne Stakes result
1. $11.00 Miss Stellabelle 56.0 Damien Oliver
2. $6.50 Platelet 56.0 Ms Michelle Payne
3. $13.00 Miss Zoom 56.0 Dean Holland
then followed
4. $3.20 Emerald Downs 56.0 Nash Rawiller
5. $11.00 Peronne Lady 56.0 Dean Yendall
6. $31.00 De Lilly Lightful 56.0 Craig Newitt
7. $3.80 Satin Shoes 56.0 Craig Williams
8. $7.50 Glissade 56.0 Kerrin McEvoy
9. $71.00 Victoria Street 56.0 Luke Currie
Margins: 1 1/2 len, 2 1/2 len Time: 1:11.96
Bet now on the Champagne Stakes
Best price of the three Aussie Tabs with 'City Best Plus + SP'
Best Australian Bookmaker for Champagne Stakes free bets
Racehorse Shares
2010 Filly by Lonhro
Lonhro * Mad Desire
* Super Vobis qualified through AT Bloodstock to be trained by Darren Weir.
* FREE agistment for 2 months when you buy a 10% share via Horse Racing Info!
