The Team Hawkes stable, fresh off their TJ Smith Stakes victory with Briasa, are poised for further Group 1 success in Sydney this weekend, with their promising colt Nepotism heading the betting markets for the 2025 Champagne Stakes.

Progressive youngster Nepotism is favourite in 2025 Champagne Stakes betting this weekend. Photo: Bradley Photos.

Nepotism, a son of Brutal, is currently the $3.90 favourite at Ladbrokes for the Group 1 $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m), the feature two-year-old event on Saturday’s All Aged Stakes Day card at Royal Randwick.

The colt is aiming for his second consecutive autumn victory, stepping up in grade after a dominant win in the Group 3 TL Baillieu Handicap (1400m) on a Heavy (8) track at Rosehill on April 1st.

He now looks to emulate The Mission (2017) by completing the TL Baillieu Handicap / Champagne Stakes double at just his third career start.

Jockey Tyler Schiller, who has been aboard for Nepotism’s previous two outings, retains the ride, navigating from the wider barrier 11 in the 12-horse field.

Following closely in the betting at $5 is Within The Law, an intriguing filly from the Bjorn Baker stable.

This daughter of Lucky Vega is looking to become the first filly to conquer the boys in the Champagne Stakes since She’s Extreme in 2022.

After an unplaced run in the Golden Slipper last month, Within The Law bounced back impressively with a third-place finish in the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes last Saturday, finishing just two lengths behind Tempted.

She will be on a quick seven-day back-up, aiming to frank that form from barrier three with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.

Buffalo, trained by David Atkins, is another prominent contender in the Champagne Stakes market, priced at $6.50 at Ladbrokes.

This well-raced son of Written Tycoon will be having his sixth career start.

He showed his quality when finishing a close sixth in the Group 2 Todman Stakes before breaking his maiden status with a victory at his home track in Newcastle on March 20th.

Last start, Buffalo performed admirably in Group 1 company, narrowly beaten by a neck when finishing third behind Vinrock in the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) after making up significant ground from the rear of the field.

That race has been a strong form reference for the Champagne Stakes in recent years, and the step up to the mile appears likely to suit this genuine contender.

State Visit, from the Ciaron Maher stable, is also attracting attention at $7.

This consistent colt has drawn the outside barrier (12) but has the advantage of champion jockey James McDonald in the saddle.

The booking of ‘J-Mac’ is a significant positive for State Visit, who comes into this race off a close second in the Inglis Sires’, beaten by only a head, suggesting he has plenty of untapped potential.

Completing the single-figure fancies are the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Bellazaine ($9), a Group 2-placed filly by Zousain, and Next Jen ($9.50) from the Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald yard, a promising daughter of Ole Kirk.

The 2025 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes is scheduled as Race 7 on Saturday’s All Aged Stakes Day card at Randwick, with a scheduled jump time of 3:00pm (AEST).

2025 Champagne Stakes Field & Barriers

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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