Trainer Michael Freedman believes his horse, Manaal, has everything it takes to win the Champagne Stakes at Randwick this Saturday. He was quoted this week talking up his horse's chances, ahead of the big race.
To Freedman’s credit, the horse racing betting sites agree with him. Manaal ($2.60) is currently a slight favourite on the Champagne Stakes pre-nom odds list. A lot can change between now and Sunday though. Let’s look at Manaal’s chances.
Manaal trainer eyeing Champagne Stakes win at Randwick

Two-year-old filly Manaal to headline Champagne Stakes
News Insights
- Trainer Michael Freedman says Manaal “seems great.”
- Manaal is leading the Champagne Stakes pre-nom odds table.
- The Champagne Stakes are Saturday, April 20 at Randwick Racecourse.
Trainer’s comments
Trainer Michael Freedman spoke at length on Saturday after his three-year-old gelding, Panic, won the Listed South Pacific Classic.
This was Freedman’s second straight weekend bringing home top prize in a race with one of his horses. On April 6, Ducasse won the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes, while Wymark bagged a win at the Tulloch Stakes in Rosehill.
“It’s been amazing,” Freedman said after Panic’s Listed South Pacific Classic win. “For a relatively small team, to be competing at this level and getting a few winners, it’s a big thrill and a huge credit to the whole team.”
If you ask Freedman about his chances of future success, he’s quick to point out two-year-old Manaal.
“She seems great,” Freedman said of the Filly. “She bounced out of last Saturday well. She certainly hasn’t given me any indications not to run her. We won’t make a final decision until early or mid next week when we need to but all the signs are pretty good at the moment.
“That to me is probably well and truly enough. But she’s a good, tough girl.”
Manaal Champagne Stakes preview
The Champagne Stakes are Saturday, April 20 at Randwick Racecourse. It could be Manaal’s first Group 1 victory.
The filly started her career with a win at the Group 3 level in the Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick. Manall raced at Group 1 level in March at the Group 1 Golden Slipper, where she finished 5th.
According to trainer Freedman, whether Manaal gets a good barrier draw could be decisive.
“I think up over a mile she could potentially be ridden a bit handier,” the Sydney-based trainer said. “Barriers have dictated where we have ridden her in her last two starts but if she drew a slightly softer gate we could probably be a little bit more forward. She’s pretty versatile.”
Other Champagne Stakes contenders
Besides Manaal, the horse racing betting sites also like two-year-old colt Linebacker ($3.50). This John O'Shea-trained has just four races under his belt. If the bookies are to be believed, the Champagne Stakes could be Linebacker’s breakout race.
Broadsiding ($5.00), another colt, is the third favourite, according to the pre-nom odds. This race will be Broadsiding’s first ever at the Group 1 level.
Prost ($7.00), Duvana ($13.00), and Anode ($15) are other top contenders according to the current Champagne Stakes odds list.
More Horse Racing News

Machine Gun Gracie set for Group 1 challenge after WA Derby win
Trainer Justine Erkelens says that she plans on racing Machine Gun Gracie in Perth Group 1 races next season. She has identified the Northerly Stakes along with the Group 2 Perth Cup at Ascot Racecourse.

Jimmysstar eying The Everest after impressive All Aged Stakes win
Ciaron Maher’s Jimmysstar won the Group 1 All Aged Stakes by over half a length to runner-up Joliestar. That strong run now has the betting sites saying that he will be a major contender to win The Everest at Randwick next season.

Crocetti arrives in Perth ahead of The Quokka challenge at Ascot
Kiwi galloper Crocetti has arrived in Perth from his base in Byerley Park to settle ahead of the upcoming $5 million The Quokka at Ascot Racecourse on April 26. The gelding is currently a big outsider, but many have picked him as one to watch.

Amelia’s Jewel retired, added to Inglis Chairman’s Sale slate
Amelia Park Racing and Breeding has announced that Amelia’s Jewel has been retired. The mare finished fifth in the Queen of the Turf Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. She won 10 stakes races in her career and a Group 1 race.

Mr Brightside ready for Hong Kong trip after successful Flemington trial
Nine-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside put in a strong run in a jump-out at Flemington on Friday ahead of his trip to Hong Kong this autumn. The Lindsay Park-trained gelding is set to fly out on Monday to prepare for the Champions Mile.

Steve Wolfe says Rope Them In can go for The Quokka after Roma Cup
Steve Wolfe is already looking past the Roma Cup on Saturday. The trainer says that he expects his gelding Rope Them In to do well in the Roma Cup and that he could contend in The Quokka on April 26th at Ascot.
I am an avid horse racing enthusiast and punter. Growing up in Randwick, I have been surrounded by racing through stories from the elderly’s past endeavours to the racecourse and owners that are friends of the family. I am also a data-scientist and am fascinated and intrigued by the algorithmic approach to form. I’ve has become more involved with racing over the past few years due to simultaneously delving deeper into the sport and learning how to apply a data driven approach to punting. Beyond Racing, I am an avid NRL fan and MMA fan, the latter of which I have largely applied the same philosophy of methodical, data driven punting towards and found solid success in the MMA space and I continue to track and improve my strategies.