Superbly bred colt State Visit has shown immense promise in his limited starts and now aims to convert that into Group One success in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick.

By leading stallion Wootton Bassett, whose progeny includes Canterbury Stakes winner Royal Patronage and Golden Slipper runner-up Wodeton, State Visit is out of 2021 Oakleigh Plate dead-heater Celebrity Queen. Coolmore purchased the mare for $2.5 million after her Group 1 win, and State Visit is her first foal.

A win in Saturday’s Champagne Stakes (1600m) would boost his stud future, and while untested at the mile, trainer Ciaron Maher’s Sydney foreman Johann Gerard-Dubord expects him to handle the distance. “He switches off well and he’s a very fit horse,” Gerard-Dubord said. “We’d obviously love to win a Group One or two with him.”

After winning on debut at Canterbury in February, State Visit ran strongly to finish third in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) and again showed his late strength when second in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

James McDonald will ride State Visit, who faces a tough challenge from the outside gate in the 12-horse field. “He’s got the best attitude, a beautiful action. He is a lovely colt,” Gerard-Dubord said.

Hawkes Racing’s Nepotism remains the $4.20 favourite for the Champagne Stakes, with Within The Law at $5 and State Visit a $6.50 chance.