Magic Marquand out to continue hot form with two more Group 1 Saturday rides

Tom Marquand is seeking more success at the top level in Australia as he partners Holyfield in Randwick's Group 1 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (5.20) on Saturday.

Marquand rode Addeybb to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last week and has a live chance in the big two-year-old race with the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained runner.

The jockey, 22, rode Holyfield to an impressive win in the Schweppervescence at Rosehill last time, and connections are hopeful of another big run.

Maher told Racing.com: "We've always thought he was a Champagne horse very early on, hence why we kicked him off over a bit of ground and then we brought him down here [Melbourne] to race over 1,400 metres [at Sandown).

"He was great up there the week after the Slipper in the 1400-metre race [Schweppervescence].

"Tom Marquand seemed to click with him really well. It was a good on-pace effort. They went a reasonable tempo early and he quickened up well and it was a strong win, so this mile race is a great target for him."

Maher added: He's had three wins now and hopefully he can get that elusive Group 1 and it would make him a valuable colt given his pedigree."

Holyfield's key rival is King's Legacy, the mount of Hugh Bowman. The son of Redoute's Choice won the Inglis Sires' at this track last time.

Marquand also features in the other Group 1 on Saturday's card, the Schweppes All Aged Stakes (6.40). He rides Fierce Impact for Matthew Smith.

The six-year-old is viewed as an outsider for the race, run over seven furlongs, but did enjoy back-to-back wins at the top level in October and November.

Bookmakers have installed three-year-old improver Bivouac at the head of the betting.

Trainer James Cummings believes there is more to come from the son of Exceed And Excel who plundered his first Group 1 prize at Flemington last month, but the Godolphin runner has been beaten on two starts since.

Cummings told Godolphin's website: “He’s the highest-rated sprinter I’ve been lucky enough to train and I don’t think we’re yet to see the best of him.

“This is a high-class race in which a win would bring him the credit he deserves. Bivouac has panels of talent and it’s been fascinating to see him harness it and to watch him develop.

"He’s the genuine article and I’d be immensely happy to see him show it at weight-for-age in what is one of the best All-Aged Stakes fields we’ve seen in a quite some time."

Read more

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