A next-up run in the Group 1 $400,000 Champagne Stakes (1600m) could be on the cards for the untapped Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Untamed after he won a ballot free ride into the mile classic with a win in the first on Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day.

Fernhill Mile winner Untamed has firmed in 2020 Champagne Stakes betting. Photo: Steve Hart.

The Listed $150,000 Cellarbrations Fernhill Mile (1600m) kicked off Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick and saw Untamed ($3.60) come with a perfectly timed ride to just nab the brave Wheelhouse ($15) on the line.

A well-bred Pierro colt, Untamed was a late drifter in Fernhill Mile betting as the money poured in for the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott’s last-start Hawkesbury winner Postcode.

As expected, the well-supported favourite jumped well from the gates and took up the lead with Tim Clark looking to go all the way on Vancouver colt Postcode for the punters.

Rival hoop Nash Rawiller meanwhile was happy to settle back off the speed on promising stayer-in-the-making Untamed, the youngster coming off a close second at big odds behind Holyfield at Rosehill in the Group 3 TL Baillieu Handicap (1400m).

Coming to the turn at the 600m Postcode still had the lead, but travelling well on the outside was Brad Widdup’s fellow Pierro colt Wheelhouse as jockey Sam Clipperton pulled out – the first to make a move.

Postcode was just in front at the 250m but Wheelhouse and the Anthony Cummings-trained filly Fayerra, who had travelled second throughout, were starting to make a real race of it late.

As Postcode dropped out in a disappointing effort failing to run out a strong mile, Wheelhouse briefly got to the front on the outside of Fayerra.

Relishing the step-up to a mile however was Untamed who improved from his position in fifth coming with a late charge over the final furlong.

Right on the line, the tough winner Untamed got up to knock off Wheelhouse who had to settle for his third straight second placing, with Fayerra ($8.50) third the inside rounding out the trifecta.

Untamed is now exempt from ballot for Saturday week’s 2020 Champagne Stakes back at the same track and distance with the double last completed by Prized Icon (2016).

Co-trainer Paul Snowden all but confirmed a Champagne Stakes run for Untamed, so long as the horse pulled up well.

“He’s up to a trip he really enjoys now,” he told the media post-win.

“There’s every chance [he will back-up].

“We spoke about it last week…if he won today it’s definitely an option to back-up next week and take his place in the field.

“It’s not going to be a massive field in numbers, hopefully he can take his spot.”

Updated Champagne Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au on Untamed have firmed in from $8.50 to $5.

Stablemate King’s Legacy leads the markets at $2.60 after winning the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) last weekend.

Paul’s father Peter Snowden chases his fourth win in the Champagne Stakes next weekend having previously prepared Skilled (2010), Helmet (2011) and the filly Guelph (2013) to victory in the mile feature.

Click here for the latest pre-field Champagne Stakes 2020 betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 Fernhill Mile Results