The $1,000,000 Group I ATC Champagne Stakes (1600m) produced another quinella at Randwick on Saturday for Newgate / China Horse Club and partners when outstanding Dundeel colt Militarize backed up from his win in the Group I ATC Sires Produce Stakes to claim another G1 victory.
The Chris Waller trained colt has now won two legs of the Triple Crown producing another dominant performance to defeat Deep Field colt Bases Loaded by nearly two lengths.
A $550,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft, Militarize was bred by Jonathan Munz and has already won three of five starts earning over $1.1million.
“He was in a class of his own, in my opinion,” said Chris Waller, who has trained the winners of all three races in the Triple Crown with Shinzo taking out the Golden Slipper in which Newgate co-owned colts King’s Gambit, Don Corleone and Empire of Japan finished third, fourth and fifth.
“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, so we’re certainly looking forward to the spring.”
Champion jockey Joao Moreira has been aboard Militarize in both of his G1 wins and is full of praise for the exciting colt.
“I had big hopes, but I didn’t think he was going to win that impressively,” Moreira said.
“He was exposed out wide, had to face the breeze, covering ground, but he was the winner a long way from home. He attacked the line like he wanted to win.
“That proves that I was on such a good horse. He impressed me with the way he attacked the line. He deserved the win, because he’s such 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 how he has done it today, a mile is not a problem and I can see him even running 2000m or maybe even further. Just by the way how he travels underneath, respecting the rider. He will be such a versatile type of horse.”