Godolphin have chalked-up an early win on Day 1 of The Championships this morning as leading jockey James McDonald steered Furnaces to success in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m).

Jumping from the gates only fairly, McDonald pushed Furnaces wide of the field of eight before settling in prime position on the heels of early leaders Regatta Rebel and Redzel who set a reasonable tempo towards the turn.

Offered a clear racing line upon reaching the final straight, the Exceed And Excel colt pressed forward and locked in a fierce sprint battle with Regatta Rebel and Redzel; finding the line a half-length in the clear.

McDonald delivered a typically polished performance aboard Furnaces in the 2015 Kindergarten Stakes and was quick to praise the efforts of the Godolphin team in the win.

“He’s a fit horse, he’s been up a while for a Golden Slipper campaign,” McDonald said after crossing the line.

“Today on a heavy track he was going to be hard to beat.

“The horses definitely felt tired over the last 100 but the ATC have done a good job – we’re here on a Monday which is a good thing.”

Trainer John O’Shea was understandably pleased with Furnaces win in the 2015 Kindergarten Stakes and confirmed he will now return to the paddock ahead of a Spring Carnival campaign.

“He’s been very consistent all season,” O’Shea said.

“He raced very well against the top level and he got the job done today.

“That’s what we’ve come to expect of James and it was a great team effort.

“That’ll be hit for him; I think he’s earned himself a nice break.”

Won by subsequent two-time Group 1 winner Hallowed Crown in 2014, the Kindergarten Stakes has figured as a key two-year-old form and class indicator in recent seasons.

Godolphin Australia is offered several good chances of success at the highest level this afternoon, and will be particularly confident of further two-year-old riches via Tarquin in the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at 2:25pm.

Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best odds on all races remaining during Day 1 of The Championships!

2015 Kindergarten Stakes Results

Finish	No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Margin	Bar.	Weight	Starting Price
1	1	FURNACES	John O’Shea	James McDonald	–	7	56.5kg	$2.80F
2	9	REGATTA REBEL	Gai Waterhouse	Joao Moreira	0.5L	8	54.5kg	$16
3	2	REDZEL	Gerald Ryan	Hugh Bowman	1.3L	4	56.5kg	$3.50
4	6	MAGIC DIAMOND	Peter & Paul Snowden	Kerrin McEvoy	1.5L	1	54.5kg	$13
5	8	METEORA MISS	Anthony Cummings	Tye Angland	3L	5	54.5kg	$81
6	3	SOOBOOG	Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes	Tommy Berry	6L	3	56.5kg	$5
7	4	LOCAL AFFAIR	John P Thompson	Christian Reith	6.3L	6	56.5kg	$81
8	5	TEMPT ME NOT	Bart & James Cummings	Craig Williams	10L	2	54.5kg	$8.50