Souchez Aims At Brisbane G2 Target

The talented colt Souchez has the opportunity to add another stakes win to his already impressive record when he steps out in the G2 Champagne Classic at Doomben, Australia, on Saturday May, 14.

Souchez (John O'Shea/Jason Collett) emerged as a G1 Golden Slipper prospect earlier this Autumn when he won the G2 Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill.

"He was clearly among our best two-year-olds but I thought he'd benefit from being taken along a bit more conservatively," said trainer John O'Shea.

"This is a nice race for him, he's drawn a good gate and he's had a nice trial, so I'm looking forward to seeing him show us the same sort of ability he'd shown us in his earlier preparation."

The Pago Pago Stakes was the second victory for the son of Lonhro who won on debut in December and was then third at G2 level at his only other run.

Souchez is opposed to a handy field that includes the local speedster Tyatrolani who is drawn alongside.

On the same card the progressive gelding Eschiele (John O'Shea/Damian Browne) rises in class and distance in the G3 Rough Habit Plate.

But O'Shea says he is satisfied the son of Medaglia d'Oro deserves the stakes-race opportunity.

"The distance is probably the question mark, but every time I raise the bar he copes, so I'm content to give him his chance at the 2000m," he said.

A winner at three of his past four runs over distances ranging from 1200 to 1600m, Eschiele has also shown an ability to handle all track conditions.