CHAMPAGNE clinks!

A steep drop in class and a clever ride by apprentice Fiona Sandkuhl, orchestrated an overdue victory for the Matt Hoysted-trained CHAMPAGNE LANE.

It’s not often you see a horse revert from a Listed event to a provincial Class 2 but that was the set-up for CHAMPAGNE LANE when she resumed over 1200m at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The 4yo mare was beaten 2.9 lengths in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm in June and so started a justified favourite in the Class 2 Handicap with only 56kg after Sandkuhl’s 2kg claim.

Despite showing no early speed, CHAMPAGNE LANE was able to pinch runs along the inside mid-race which put her within striking distance of the leaders turning for home.

With still five lengths to make up at the top of the straight, the 4yo daughter of CAPITALIST came with a withering finish, clocking 22.83 seconds for her final 400m which was half a second quicker than any other runner in the 9-horse field. The official winning margin was 0.85 lengths.

After some adroit placement by Hoysted to begin the preparation, a return to metropolitan company now beckons for CHAMPAGNE LANE, who does have a 4th placed finish in stakes company to her name via the Listed Mode Plate last December.

“It’s been a long wait but hopefully that’s a sign of things to come – the way she was able to win today,” Hoysted said.

“I was really impressed with the way she conducted herself here at the races. She saddled up great and that was probably the best she’s ever paraded.

“That will really bring her on and she has the ability to go through the grades now.”

A $120,000 yearling from Newgate Farm’s draft at the 2024 Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale, CHAMPAGNE LANE has now won three of her nine career starts and becomes Proven Thoroughbreds’ fifth winner for the 2026-27 season which commenced on August 1.