Militarize after G1 Champagne Stakes (Joao Moreira)
Militarize tabled his credentials as arguably Australian racing’s most exciting juvenile when a searing turn of foot carried him to his second G1 in fourteen days.
Rivals may have thought they had the measure of the handsome colt in the AUD600,000 G1 Champagne Stakes after he was parked wide without cover at the spacious Royal Randwick. That hope proved to be shortlived as champion Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira moved through Militarize’s gears in a manner reminiscent of Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari at the peak of his preeminence.
Saturday’s Champagne Stakes triumph was every bit as dominant as that of his AUD1,100,000 G1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) a fortnight earlier and crowned a season of juvenile achievement for his high profile band of owners.
Across Australia’s four most esteemed G1 two-year-old races, China Horse Club’s red and gold silks have been omnipresent for a syndicate which also includes Newgate Farm, SF Bloodstock, Go Bloodstock, Trilogy Bloodstock and a pool of significant partners. For the second time in 14 days, the group also quinellaed a high profile G1 race with the brave Bases Loaded fighting off all others:
2YO RED & GOLD COLOURBEARERS:
- 1st & 2nd G1 Champagne Stakes (Militarize; Bases Loaded)
- 1st & 2nd G1 ATC Sires Produce Stakes (Militarize; Don Corleon)
- 2nd G1 Blue Diamond (Don Corleon)
- 4th G1 Golden Slipper (Don Corleon)*
(* King’s Gambit having raced for the same syndicate in Gooree Stud’s silks when 3rd in G1 Golden Slipper)
Champion trainer Chris Waller was lavish in his praise of Militarize after his Champagne Stakes performance saying: “He was in a class of his own in my opinion. But realistically he’s a decent horse. He was three-wide today, didn’t have any cover. Joao (Moreira) didn’t panic. The most exciting part is we haven’t pushed him yet.”
Moreira was no less praiseworthy. In two rides on the exciting stallion prospect he has posted two successive G1 wins.
“That proves I was on such a good horse,” Moreira said of Militarize.
“He impressed me with the way he attacked the line. He deserved the win because he’s a trier and no doubt about it you can’t get any better.
“I think the sky is the limit for this horse. Based on the way of how he has done it today, a mile is not a problem and I can see [Militarize] even running 2000m or maybe even further.”
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