Maher colt out to make G1 State-ment in 2025 Champagne Stakes
Rising star State Visit is looking to turn early career promise into elite success when he contests the Champagne Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Bred by Coolmore from high-profile sire Wootton Bassett and out of Group 1-winning mare Celebrity Queen, State Visit was retained by his owners following his dam’s $2.5 million sale after her Oakleigh Plate win.
The colt has impressed in his three starts to date, and his team hopes he can take the next step in Group One company over the mile for the first time.
“The mile he will be trying for the first time but he switches off well and he’s a very fit horse,” said Ciaron Maher’s foreman Johann Gerard-Dubord.
“We’d obviously love to win a Group One or two with him.”
Since breaking his maiden at Canterbury in February, State Visit ran third in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) before going down narrowly to Vinrock in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
James McDonald will ride the colt for the first time, navigating from the outside draw in the 12-runner field.
“At his first start he was very impressive running good sectionals but he was still very new,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“Second start he had to go all the way back and make his run on the outside, which is not easy to do, and last start he was very good. Jason (Collett) said he actually didn’t see the horse (winner Vinrock) on his inside and that’s why he came back again in the end.
“He’s got the best attitude, a beautiful action. He is a lovely colt so we will try to get that Group One win.”
Currently, Nepotism is favourite at $4.20 for the Champagne Stakes, with Within The Law at $5 and State Visit close behind at $6.50.
More Racing News
Grander ambitions for Walker's Sandown victor
Tolaga Bay is slated for a Black Type assignment after an impressive winning return at Sandown, continuing her undefeated streak.The Mark Walker-trained filly, by Alabama Express, triumphed in the Sportsbet Blackbook Handicap over 1300 metres on Wednesday.Potential targets for the filly include the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at...
Sing Your Song on track for Flight Stakes after Warwick Farm win
Chris Waller has the Group 1 Flight Stakes on his radar for the well-bred filly Sing Your Song, following her stylish victory in a race that has proven to be a significant spring carnival launching pad.The trainer, usually hesitant to start horses from wide draws, explained that his decision to...
Chilly Girl set to bring the heat to Furious Stakes rivals
A thrilling showdown is anticipated in the upcoming Furious Stakes, featuring Rosebud winner Chilly Girl and Silver Shadow Stakes champion Pembrey, as the early form for three-year-old fillies continues to solidify.Both fillies have made strong impressions this spring. Chilly Girl displayed grit to defeat Blue Door in the Rosebud (1100m),...
Giga Kick ready to launch spring campaign in Moir Stakes
It has been almost four years since Giga Kick and Clayton Douglas were the celebrated duo of Australian racing.The pair captured The Everest at Randwick in October 2022, and in the following autumn, they triumphed in the All-Aged Stakes and Doomben 10,000. During this period, Giga Kick was also awarded...
Pride's leading spring contenders to debut at Randwick
Trainer Joe Pride is poised to introduce his stable's major spring contenders en masse at Randwick, with four Group 1 winners slated to race, prominently featuring the top weight-for-age performer Ceolwulf.The two-time King Charles III Stakes champion is scheduled to compete in Saturday's Chelmsford Stakes (1600m). Concurrently, Headley Grange and...
Melbourne Cup 2026: 101 nominations received
The Victoria Racing Club has received 101 entries for the upcoming 166th Melbourne Cup, a 3200m race scheduled at Flemington on November 3.Despite a dip in overall nominations from previous years, international interest has grown, with 23 horses nominated from four nations: England, Ireland, Japan, and the USA.Last year, 2025,...
Natural Fling faces seasoned sprinters in Moir Stakes
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable is prepared to gamble on a Group 1 contest against established sprinters when Natural Fling contests the Moir Stakes at Sandown.It's uncommon for a three-year-old, let alone a filly, to challenge hardened sprinters in a 1000-metre weight-for-age race.However, that's precisely the path Natural Fling...
David Vandyke confident Oregon Coast can leverage Pembrey's form
Trainer David Vandyke holds a positive outlook for Oregon Coast's chances at Ipswich on Wednesday, particularly given her performances against horses like Pembrey and Chilly Girl.While Pembrey and Chilly Girl are prominent contenders for the Group 2 Furious Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, Oregon Coast will be competing in the...
Chris Waller assesses Chelmsford Stakes contenders
Champion trainer Chris Waller is looking for better showings from Fangirl and Lindermann in Saturday's Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes over 1600 metres at Randwick.The pair finished well back in the Winx Stakes, behind their stablemate Autumn Glow, securing 10th and 9th placings respectively. While Waller was prepared to overlook their...
Generosity poised for Group 1 Moir Stakes
There was a period earlier this year when Chris Waller considered letting go of the classy sprinting mare Generosity. However, this Saturday, she is set to kick off another racing campaign for the renowned trainer.The six-year-old mare will make her seasonal reappearance in the lucrative $750,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes,...