The Team Hawkes trained Nepotism is favourite to enjoy back-to-back autumn wins up in grade for the Champagne Stakes 2025 this weekend in Sydney.

The autumn elite levels continue at Royal Randwick on Saturday’s All Aged Stakes Day card including the two-year-old feature of the day, the Group 1 $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m).

A field of top youngsters faces off in the mile event with markets led by Brutal colt Nepotism at $3.90 through Ladbrokes.com.au who won the Group 3 TL Baillieu Handicap (1400m) on a Heavy (8) at Rosehill on April 1.

He now steps up in distance chasing his maiden elite level win at just his third start when chasing the TL Baillieu Handicap / Champagne Stakes double for the first time since The Mission (2017).

Tyler Schiller, aboard for the horse’s two other runs, continues associations with the duo jumping from wider out in gate 11 of 12.

Within The Law follows at $5 in the markets as the early Champagne Stakes market mover looking to beat home the boys for the first time since She’s Extreme in 2022.

Bjorn Baker’s progressive daughter of Lucky Vega failed to finish the Golden Slipper last month but atoned showing she had taken no harm off of that when third in the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes here two lengths off Tempted last Saturday.

She is on the quick back-up now looking to frank that form from gate three with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.

Buffalo is the other best in Champagne Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $6.50 with the well-tried David Atkins trained son of Written Tycoon having his sixth start.

He was far from disgraced when sixth second-up only two lengths beaten in the Group 2 Todman Stakes before breaking his maiden status with a win at his home Newcastle track on March 20.

Last start the gelding was excellent in Group 1 company narrowly beaten when only a neck off Vinrock running third in the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) having made up ground after being last on the turn for home.

That has been a strong from race for the Champagne Stakes in recent times and this horse looks a genuine chance to enjoy the extra distance and improve again.

Following closely also in the mix at $7 is then the Ciaron Maher trained State Visit drawn the outside alley (12) for ace hoop James McDonald.

The booking of J-Mac is a huge plus for this consistent colt who comes off a second in the Inglis Sires’ only a head beaten with plenty of upside.

Group 2 placed Zousain filly Bellazaine ($9) for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and the Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald trained Next Jen ($9.50), who is a promising daughter of Ole Kirk, complete the current single-figure fancies.

The 2025 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes is set to run as Randwick Race 7 at 3:00pm (AEST) on Saturday’s All Aged Stakes Day card.

IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD.

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.