Australia: Rothfire should get back on track in Champagne Classic

Rothfire was not expected to lose the $328,000 Jewel 2-year-old Stakes at Gold Coast Racecourse in Australia on March 20. Sent off at 1-5 in a field of 10, Rothfire led into the stretch before finishing two lengths behind the filly Kisukano.

The Jewel was the first loss in five starts for Rothfire, and led to a brief layoff in advance of Saturday’s Group 2 Champagne Classic at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane, Australia.

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Rothfire is part of a field of eight and is the most accomplished runner in the group. Trained at Eagle Farm by Robert Heathcote, Rothfire is unbeaten in three starts at Eagle Farm, all in five-furlong races.

The loss in the Jewel ended a busy month for the gelding. He won a handicap at Eagle Farm on Feb. 15 and an allowance race at Doomben on Feb. 29.

Rothfire is expected to set the pace, and will need to be quick to gain position from post 2 under jockey Jim Byrne, who was aboard for wins in October and November.

The $114,800 Champagne Classic is the group stakes debut for seven of the runners. Beyliks, a maiden after two races, was third in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate in his debut at Royal Randwick last October. Beyliks was third in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on Jan. 18 in his only subsequent start.

In both races, Beyliks was favored or the second choice. He is a danger to Rothfire as a stalker.

The nine-race Eagle Farm program begins at 9:15 p.m. Eastern, or 6:15 p.m. Pacific on Friday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Later on the program, Tambo’s Mate and Dark Image, the first two finishers of the Group 3 BRC Sprint at Doomben Racecourse on May 9, start in a field of 15 in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at six furlongs.

Tambo’s Mate, a winner of 8 of 16 starts, was 11-1 in the BRC Sprint but should be better supported in this field.

The $114,800 Victory Stakes is the first start since January for the 6-year-old gelding Niccanova, a four-time stakes winner who is a threat from the back of the field.