She’s Extreme denies Fireburn of the Triple Crown in Champagne upset

[Wandering Eyes]

She’s Extreme has caused a massive upset in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart

She’s Extreme has caused the upset of all upsets, defying Fireburn success in the Triple Crown, with a front-running victory in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

The Anthony Cummings-trained filly turned the tables on her arch nemesis, with Fireburn not able to reel in the margin in the straight.

The two-year-old filly was the second favourite in the race at $4.60 with online bookmakers, but her half-length win caused plenty of shock in the racing world.

2022 Champagne Stakes Replay

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Despite the punters not expecting the win, Cummings said he went into the race quietly confident his filly could win a maiden Group 1.

“Tommy (Berry) worked it out, we had two plans – Plan A and Plan B,” Cummings said.

“Plan A worked so didn’t have to worry about the other. The horse did the rest.

“She hasn’t missed a beat, improving all the way.

“She hadn’t had that much work on the way through.”

Cummings said it was an emotional victory, with plenty of “pressure” on him in the build up, however Berry didn’t feel too much pressure given the result from the last time the pair met.

“I thought that the other day in the Sires and Fireburn just went straight past me,” he said.

“I played to how the track’s been racing so far. I didn’t want to just pick up from the 600m, I wanted to go.

“I thought that was the only way we could beat the favourite and it worked in our favour.

“I’ve got to say her work on Tuesday morning was as good as they work.”

She’s Extreme is now off to the paddock, before an assault on the spring carnival beckons.

Brenton Avdulla – the rider of Fireburn – offered few words post race, saying she tried hard: “She tried hard. Went great.”

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