Tarquin Targets Champagne Moment

Time/Date - 14.25hrs local time/Saturday, April 18, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Royal Randwick/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m

Promising juvenile Tarquin makes a second consecutive start at Group One level in the Moët & Chandon Champagne Stakes at Royal Randwick, Australia, on Saturday, April 18.

The John O'Shea-trained colt steps up to a mile after coming home fifth over seven furlongs in the Inglis Sires Produce Stakes at the same course on April 4.

He started his career with a pair of impressive wins, including when running on strongly to take the six-furlong Group Two Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on March 14.

The son of Hard Spun scored by a long neck under a hands and heels ride on his debut in a Newcastle maiden over an extended six furlongs on February 19.

John O'Shea reported: "I am very happy with Tarquin and the preparation he has had for this assignment has been much better than going into the Sires Stakes.

"He has appreciated the close proximity of the races as opposed to the three weeks before the Sires.

"I also think he will appreciate the mile and the slight drop in quality in terms of the opposition. He is a progressive young horse and will be very strong late; I am expecting a forward showing."

Tarquin, with James McDonald in the saddle for the third time, opposes eight other two-year-olds headed by Odyssey Moon and Pasadana Girl, who were second and fourth in the Inglis Sires, and dual Group Three scorer Takedown.