Champagne Diblu won’t lack support when the trial-winning youngster opens his career on his home track at Riccarton on Saturday.
The Anna Furlong-trained son of Russian Revolution will be cheered on by a sizeable ownership crew when he steps out in the Listed Riccarton Park Function Centre Welcome Stakes (1000m).
“He was our first micro-share horse and we’ve tried to get people involved in the game at a lower cost,” Furlong said.
“It’s been pretty successful and there’s a wonderful group behind him who are all pretty excited to get him to the races.”
They enjoyed an encouraging taster of what may be to come from Champagne Diblu when he spaced his rivals in an 800m heat on the track last month under Billy Jacobson, who retains the ride.
“It was a lovely trial from him and it was nice to see him do it under his own steam under a hold,” Furlong said.
“He’s pretty professional and loves his job, he’s a perfect racehorse really.
“Obviously, we like him a lot and there weren’t many other options around, we think he’s fairly smart, but it is an ask to line him up against others that are proven.
“It will be great though to get a line on him moving forward.”
Champagne Diblu was a $100,000 purchase for Champagne Racing at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale where he was offered by Kilgravin Lodge.
He will be opposed in the Welcome Stakes by stablemate Sweetheart, who finished fourth at the first time of asking behind race rival Zelia at Riccarton last month.
“She went super on debut, she tried really hard and will take plenty from that and is definitely one to look forward to in her three-year-old season,” Furlong said.
“We should see good improvement from her on Saturday.”
By Vanbrugh, Sweetheart is raced by breeder Windsor Park Stud and will be partnered by Samantha Wynne.
“We’ve had the odd lease horse from them and we’ve got a great relationship, we support them at the sales so it’s great to have one in their colours,” Furlong said.
The stable will also have the honest Lil Zena and last-start winner Selkirk Lass in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m).
“Lil Zena needs things to very much go her way and Kelly (Myers) will give her a nice ride from the draw (four),” Furlong said.
“Selkirk Lass has done nothing wrong and went super fresh-up at Riccarton and improved out of sight into her second start, which she won over a mile. Billy Jacobson rides her.”
Furlong will have several other runners spread across the card with Miss Nico Belle (Commodore Hotel Sprint, 1200m), Tommy Shelby (Waitomo-Kiwis Fuelling Kiwis, 1400m) and Contest (TAB 2nd or 3rd Back Bonus, 1200m) all expected to be competitive forces.
She is also hopeful of the well-performed Betty Spaghetti coming off the ballot for a crack at the $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m). – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
