The Champagne Classic is a Group 2 race for two-year-olds held each May at Doomben racecourse in Brisbane, Queensland. The race is run over a distance of 1200 metres under set weight conditions and worth $175,000 in prizemoney. The 2011 Champagne Classic was won by Free Wheeling from Dr Ichi with Hot Snitzel third.
Taking place on Gr1 Doomben Cup day, the Champagne Classic is one of seven group races on one of the biggest race days of the Brisbane winter racing carnival at Doomben.
The Champagne Classic is the first two-year-old group race of the Brisbane winter carnival and it's a sprint event raced over 1200m under set weight conditions, which caters for the better horses engaged in the race. Some talented gallopers have saluted in this event, including Gold Edition (2006), Lovely Jubly (2002), Staging (1997), Flavour(1996) and Chief De Beers (1994).
The Gr2 Sires Produce Stakes over 1400m in a fortnight at Eagle Farm will be the most likely target for two-year-olds contesting this event. Pressday (2010) was the last two-year-old to go on and take out the Champagne Classic & Sires Produce Stakes double, while Impulsive Dream (3rd in 2009) went on to run second in the Sires Produce Stakes after finishing third in the Champagne Classic.
Two-year-olds looking for more ground will consider going on to the Gr1 The TJ Smith over 1600m at Eagle Farm on Stradbroke Day and Pressday (2010) was the last 3yo to win the Champagne Classic & The TJ Smith Double. Linky Dink (9th in 2009) and Spot On Target (8th in 2009) ran The TJ Smith quinella after finishing unplaced in the Champagne Classic.
Pressday (2010) won the Champagne Classic, then went on to take out the Sires Produce Stakes and The TJ Smith to score the triple crown of two-year-old events in a highly successful Brisbane winter carnival.
Free Wheeling (2011) ran second in a 1250m two-year-old event at Canterbury in Sydney before winning this event and recent Champagne Classic winners include Pressday (2010) and Funtantes (2009).
2011 Champagne Classic result
1. $8.50 Free Wheeling 56.0 J Bowman
2. $21.00 Dr Ichi 56.0 L Cassidy
3. $1.45 Hot Snitzel 56.0 C Brown
Then followed
4. $31.00 Double Impact 56.0 S Scriven
5. $51.00 Merryanna 54.0 J Byrne
6. $15.00 Belle D'Amour 54.0 B Stewart
7. $6.00 Show A Prince 56.0 G Colless
8. $19.00 St Darci 56.0 J Mc Donald
9. $101.00 Freerocker 56.0 M Rodd
10. $17.00 Internal Revenue 56.0 C Munce
11. $13.00 Military Grace 54.0 D Griffin
12. $61.00 Flying Jet 54.0 L Nolen
13. $101.00 McNeice 56.0 P Hammersley
Margins: Short neck, short 1/2 head Time: 1:10.50
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