Promising Southend targets Champagne Stakes hat-trick

With the opening two elements of a triple-objective blueprint already secured, up-and-coming colt Southend is set to tackle the Group 1 Champagne Stakes for a potential perfect finish.

After capturing the Paul Perry (1300m) on debut at Newcastle, Southend arrived at Rosehill on Saturday to annex the Group 3 Baillieu (1400m) and book his Championships ticket.

"That has always been the plan. To go to Newcastle, here today, then if he looks as though he's had enough we'll stop him, and if not he'll go to the Champagne in three weeks," co-trainer Gerald Ryan said.

"He's a very good horse, I think."

By ex-leading English speedster Palace Pier, who claimed five Group 1s, Southend hails from a So You Think three-quarter sister to Ryan's earlier talented runner Peltzer.

Still, it was not that bloodline tie that caught the eye of Ryan and training associate Sterling Alexiou at the yearling auction.

"That wasn't the reason I bought him," Ryan said.

"The week before the sales, Sterling had gone home for a few days and when he came back I said, 'I reckon I found one for you'. I took him down to Mill Park (Stud's barn), there were five horses there we looked at, and I never told him which one it was.

"This horse came out and Sterling, goes, 'he's a classic' and I said, 'I know. This is the one I want you to like'."

Dylan Gibbons was in the saddle as Southend ($7.50) hit the front halfway up the straight and drew away to defeat Persian Wonder ($2.90 fav) by 1-1/4 lengths, Nomadic ($81) just a nose adrift in third.

Gibbons indicated Southend prevailed on pure talent alone and promises more once he gains experience.

"The thing I loved most is that last furlong, he was just looking for some challengers. God help him when he learns what his job is," Gibbons said.

"I'm sure he will eat up and bounce out of the run, and we'll have a crack at the big one (Champagne Stakes). If he can take any natural improvement again, it's scary to see where he can get to."

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