Saturday’s Champagne Stakes 2023 results saw master trainer Chris Waller complete the Sydney 2YO Triple Crown thanks to an emphatic victory in the final leg with Militarize.
Chris Waller’s Inglis Sires’ winner Militarize was too good again taking out the 2023 Champagne Stakes over the mile. Photo: Steve Hart.
Earlier in the autumn Waller took out the coveted Golden Slipper with Shinzo before his talented Dundeel colt won the final two legs with big wins in Inglis Sires’ and the Group 1 $600,000 Champagne Stakes (1600m).
“I haven’t put that much thought into it (winning the Triple Crown), but as soon as you said it, as you can tell it makes me a little bit emotional,” Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“We haven’t done anything different, just looked after these great crop of two-year-olds, and they’ve looked after us haven’t they?”
“He was in a class of his own in my opinion, which I can say.
“But realistically he’s a decent horse.
“He was three-wide today, didn’t have any cover.
“Joao (Moreira) didn’t panic. The most exciting part is we haven’t pushed him yet.”
Militarize won the Inglis Sires’ over 1400m in an upset at 25/1 relishing a Heavy track for a three-and-a-half length romp home.
The up-and-comer was equally impressive on All Aged Stakes Day thanks to a patient ride by Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira who proved yet again why they call him the ‘Magic Man’.
Militarize jumped a well-backed favourite at $2.05 in Champagne Stakes betting, but found himself posted three-wide with no cover.
Moreira never lost faith however, eventually moving up to roll the field as Militarize improved late and charged through the line over a length-and-a-half clear of his closest rival.
“That proves I was on such a good horse,” the winning hoop said post-win.
“He impressed me with the way how he attacked the line.
“He deserved the win because he’s a trier and no doubt about it you can’t get any better.
“He’s a good horse, he’s given me that feeling before. I went to the race with plenty of confidence.”
The Champagne Stakes trifecta was completed by the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained 16/1 roughies Bases Loaded and Townsend who ran a distant second and third respectively.
Moreira said the sky looked the limit for this year’s Champagne Stakes winner Militarize who could return in the spring for a campaign targeting some of the country’s biggest races including the Group 1 $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley.
“I think the sky is the limit for this horse,” he said.
“Based on the way of how he has done it today, mile is not a problem and I can see him even running 2000m or maybe even further.
“Just by the way how he travels underneath, respecting the rider. He will be such a versatile type of horse.”
