The Mornington meeting on Monday provided Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne with her first training treble and one of those winners may never win a Melbourne Cup, but he’s certainly bred to be there.
Four year-old So You Think gelding Think Champayne was fit and ready go at his fourth run back from a spell and stepped out to 2460m was sent to the front by Payne.
She rated him well in the lead and Think Champayne had enough left to hold on and win by half a neck at his fifth start.
A $120,000 Inglis Premier purchase from the Millford Thoroughbreds draft for First Light Racing / M Payne / P Willetts, Think Champayne is a half-brother to stakes-winners Nadedge and Martique, the dam of Group I winner Charmont, who is by So You think’s sire High Chaparral (IRE).
He is the ninth winner from Zabeel’s dual Group I winner Champagne, who was second to Jezabeel in a Melbourne Cup.
Think Champayne was the first of three winners for Michelle Payne followed by Argus and Cape Victory (IRE).
