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By Nick Berney

An in-depth look at every runner in the $600,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

1. Don Corleone (Peter & Paul Snowden): Has been a model of consistency all preparation racing at the elite level. The colt arguably should've won the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) and then was honest in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m). He had slight excuses in the Group 1 Inglis Sires' (1400m) but ran on well into second and maintained a strong finishing speed to the line. He did SP shorter odds than the main market fancy Militarize in that event, the 1600m should pose no issue, and James McDonald jumps back aboard.

Militarize (Pic: Bradley Photos)

2. Militarize (Chris Waller): Went to a new level winning the Group 1 Inglis Sires' (1400m), and he was completely dominant, revelling in the testing conditions. The colt was well-ridden, but he showed a sharp turn of foot, and all his merit was in his final few bounds/work past the post. Further, he went through the line full of energy, and that race rated highly relative to the day after adjustments. He has quality; if he repeats his last-start performance/figure, he will be hard to beat. Deserves to be shorter than the current quote and hard to get away from.

3. Amur (James Cummings): Scratched.

4. Tom Kitten (James Cummings): Brings a different form line, and he was impressive winning the Listed Fernhill Mile (1600m) last week at Randwick. The Godolphin galloper settled at the rear of the field in a slow tempo but overcame that with a burst of acceleration, and he hit the line clocking one of the fastest final 200m splits of the meeting. He is proven at the distance, on a quick backup on the rain-affected ground, and his sectional profile suggests he can improve again.

5. Bases Loaded (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Led at a fast pace last start in the Group 1 Inglis Sires' (1400m), and that was telling over the final furlong with the colt battling away for fifth. He is an honest on-pace type but some query with a strong 1600m.

6. Make A Call (Peter & Paul Snowden): Was green/wayward in the Listed Fernhill Mile (1600m) but tried hard to run second. He did SP favourite in that race which must be respected, maps to have all favours but is still a maiden.

7. Felix The Scat (Peter & Will Hulbert): Was 28 days between runs last start at Eagle Farm, and although not suited to the sit/sprint shape, he closed off strongly. However, he has to step up significantly in grade here.

8. Kintyre (Gary Portelli): Had all favours leading at a slow pace last start in the Listed Fernhill Mile (1600m) and battled on ok for fifth. He has a positive race setup and can improve ridden with cover. However, some query at a strong mile.

Townsend (Pic: Bradley Photos)

9. Townsend (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Was sharply up in distance 1200m-1600m in the Listed Fernhill Mile last start and was brave in defeat. He wanted to get on the wrong leg at times but stuck to his task and will improve significantly from that race experience. He is still learning but profiles as a runner that can bounce off that effort and is a knockout chance. Over the odds.

10. Tannhauser (Chris Waller): Wasn't suited in the slow-tempo last start in the Fernhill Mile (1600m) but, to his credit, he closed off well albeit peaking on his run late. He can settle closer from barrier one, but this is tougher again.

11. Pier Pressure (Kris Lees): Has returned well this campaign and is on an upwards ratings spiral. She was run to suit, but the bias negated the pace with the filly having to make her run through the inferior ground. The lightly raced galloper now has a strong platform to step out to 1600m for the first time and expect her to peak.

12. Mah Ali (Ben Smith): Started $61 in a Hawkesbury maiden on debut and was well beaten. Hard to make a case for her at this level.

Summary:

Can't go past Militarize, who brings a dominant last-start figure and deserves to be shorter than the current quote. Townsend is the potential big improver and a knockout chance. Don Corleone and Tom Kitten are honest/consistent performers but no real edge at their current prices.

Selections:

2. MILITARIZE
9. Townsend
1. Don Corleone
4. Tom Kitten

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Royal Randwick meeting