The $1million Group I ATC Champagne Stakes (1600m) this afternoon will have a big bearing on the Australian First Season Sires List with five stallions vying for the title of Champion First Season Sire.
An autumn trip to Canterbury has turned out to be career-defining for Matamata mare Sassy Merlot, who added a valuable black-type win to her record in Saturday’s Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton.