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Won by the likes of Pierro, Prized Icon, Castelvecchio and Militarize in recent editions, the Champagne Stakes boasts a lucrative $1 million purse this year and has drawn some exciting juveniles.
Before placing your bets, check out our full runner-by-runner Champagne Stakes Preview below.
2024 Champagne Stakes Betting Strategy
► 2 Units Manaal (Win)
► 2 Units Boxed Trifecta (2,3,7)
1 – Anode (3)
Anode has stamped himself as one to follow with some sharp performances since debuting and is worthy of a position in the 2024 Champagne Stakes field.
Having recorded a dominant win over 1100m on debut here back in December, the I Am Invincible colt finished second in a couple of Group 3 sprints two and three runs back, but was well beaten in the Inglis Sires' last time out.
He is drawn to receive every chance under Adam Hyeronimus and does rate as a genuine chance of fighting into the Champagne Stakes trifecta.
2 – Linebacker (5)
Linebacker puts an unbeaten record on the line in the Champagne Stakes and rates as a key winning chance again.
Having showed some ability at the trials prior to debuting, Linebacker put the writing on the wall with a four-length win on debut at Hawkesbury and timed his run to perfect in the Group 3 Baillieu last time out.
Fitter third-up, breeding suggests that he'll absolutely relish the mile and he'll be tough to beat again.
3 – Broadsiding (7)
Broadsiding punched his ticket into this race with a dominant win in last weekend's Fernhill Handicap at the track and trip.
The Godolphin colt has improved noticeably with each of his four starts since debuting, but really did go to another level here last week.
The Fernhill has produced many Champagne Stakes winners, and with the booking of James McDonald further enhancing his chances, he is up to making it two in a row.
4 – Fearless (2)
Fearless broke his maiden over 1200m at Newcastle two starts back, while he was last seen finishing sixth, beaten more than three-and-a-half lengths in the Inglis Sires'.
He looks to be in peak condition and should receive every chance, but others appeal more in the market.
5 – El Castello (8)
El Castello has made just two appearances at the races so far, filling the minors on debut at Warwick Farm before finishing second behind Broadsiding in the Fernhill Handicap.
He strips fitter and is sure to improve further, but it's tough imagining him breaking his maiden in a field of this quality.
6 – Tenbury Wells (6)
Tenbury Wells is a three-start maiden that is yet to fight into the minors in weaker races.
He has fittingly gone up the rank outsider in 2024 Champagne Stakes betting.
7 – Manaal (4)
Manaal produced a superior performance to beat home some serious horses in the Inglis Sires' last time out, and she has subsequently opened favourite in 2024 Champagne Stakes betting.
Having debuted to win the Group 3 Gimcrack here at Randwick back in September before immediately being put away, the Tassort filly returned to action to finish second behind subsequent Slipper winner, Lady Of Camelot, in the Widden Stakes.
She returned to winning form in the Sweet Embrace and kept her best work for late into fifth in the Golden Slipper, and she was a deserved winner at the highest level last time.
Getting out to a mile looks ideal at this point of her preparation and I can't find a reason why she won't be in the finish again.
8 – In Her Eyes (1)
In Her Eyes was well and truly out of her depth in both the Blue Diamond Prelude F and the Blue Diamond Stakes first and second-up this time, and she just managed to sneak home to win in maiden company at Cranbourne last time out, having jumped at odds of $1.16.
This race looks to be a bridge too far at this point of her career.
