End of long lane for Champagne Needed

PENANG:  Feb 9, 2014

After 24 months of trying, CHAMPAGNE NEEDED finally scored his first win in the local circuit in a Class 4 - 1400m handicap here today.

The New Zealand gelding won two races in New Zealand, including the listed Southland Guineas at Ascot Park. He also finished fourth in the listed Dunedin Guineas and the Group 2 Manawatu Classic.

CHAMPAGNE NEEDED managed just two fourth placings in nine starts in Singapore before being shipped across the causeway. It was only in the last six starts in Malaysia (from 15 runs) that he managed two third placings, including his last start in Ipoh last month.

With jockey Yap Kim Yin astride today, the six-year-old was well off the pace early when CIZEN BROTHER set cracking pace and was six to seven lengths clear at the half-way stage.

But as the leader came under pressure at the top of the straight, several horses made their bids and it was anybody's race until CHAMPAGNE NEEDED charged home in between horses to snatch victory. It was his 27th start in the MRA.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE:   Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position
 

2

 CLASS 3 - 1700M

4

 CARBON COPY S Cook J Shankar

1
  (5 br.nz.g Volksraad - Mardi Gras by Kaapstad)  

5

 Horizon Lad Seet KY Yap

2

3

 Silveron Wings Seet I Amirul

3

7

 Miracle Pray Pereira J See

4
 

4

 CLASS 5 - 1400M

6

 MR MARVEL SH Tan KY Yap

1
  (4 br.a.g Vital Equine - Lightingail by Heart Of Darkness)  

5

 Jack Of Hearts Danis J De Souza

2

10

 Glory Betting D Miller S Rosmizan

3

1

 Pius Touch Danis Zairi

4
 

6

 CLASS 5 - 1400M

6

 CHAMPAGNE NEEDED Seet KY Yap

1
  (6 ch.nz.g No Excuse Needed - Bellesinga by Danasinga)  

2

 Fire General PK Leong J Low

2

7

 Lee's Melody B Ng Salee

3

1

 Belwins Ismadi I Amirul

4
 

8

 CLASS 5 - 1400M

4

 EAST GATE J Tan S Rosmizan

1
  (3 ch.a.g Henny Hughes - Moana Beach by Fusaichi Pegasus)  

5

 Rumpelstiltskin Ismadi Azhar

2

11

 Humble Harvest Robert M Ganeesh

3

1

 Money Not Enough P Lee AM Aizat

4
 

10

 CLASS 4 - 1300M

5

 DASHFUL KK Loh Azhar

1
  (5 gr.a.g Dash For Cash - Fanciful Lady by Snaadee)  

11

 Cizen Gift SH Tan KY Yap

2

9

 Try The Chance SH Tan M Leong

3

7

 Equally Optimistic SH Tan F Yusoff

4
 

12

 TABLE 1 RACE - 1200M

9

 ATTORNEY GENERAL T Gillespie Aify

1
  (5 ch.a.g General Nediym - Crimson Sakura by Bite The Bullet)

7

 Kawan Street N Azman Azhar

2

6

 Ave The Snip S Edwards L Ho

3

10

 Birthday Gift J Tan S Shafrizal

4
 

14

 CLASS 4 - 1700M

10

 NO EYE DEER SH Tan Wepner

1
  (4 b.a.g Monashee Mountain - Mathematician by Viscount)  

4

 Euro Fighter PK Leong SC Liew

2

8

 Legal Lord PK Leong J Shankar

3

2

 Claybury KL Chong J Low

4