Promising colt Campione d'italia targets Champagne Stakes double

Connections of Campione D'italia have been drawn by the chance to claim another Group One success locally, prompting a push towards the last stage of the juvenile triple crown in pursuit of a second top-level win in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick.

The colt aims to emulate the achievements of yardmate Militarize from three years back by securing the Sires' Produce Stakes-Champagne Stakes combination, as trainer Chris Waller notes it is prudent to let him tackle another major in his home town during his current peak fitness and at level weights against competitors.

"Group Ones are so hard to win, and when you're in good form and there's a Group One race just for two-year-olds in your backyard, (it's hard to ignore)," Waller said.

"When he returns, he will have a Group One penalty in The Run To The Rose. We've got a few up-and-comers coming through, and you don't know where you draw.

Then you've got to go to the Caulfield Guineas and travel first time around Caulfield.

There are a lot of unknowns, whereas he's here."

The two-year-old preparation of Campione D'italia has been impressive, highlighted by his victory in the Skyline Stakes (1200m) at start two and a bold closing effort for fourth in the Golden Slipper (1200m), leading into his win in the Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m).

A son of leading sire Snitzel, he leads the 13-horse Champagne Stakes (1600m) field and jumps from barrier four under champion rider James McDonald.

Stable companions Fireball (barrier two) and Fernhill Mile winner from Saturday Diameter (eight) will also line up, as will Sires' Produce Stakes placegetter Miss Chanel among four fillies, including the Ben Brisbourne-trained Grinzinger Heart and Salann.

In the past two decades, six fillies have prevailed in the Champagne Stakes, most notably She's Extreme back in 2022.

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