State Visit, the exceptionally bred colt by Wootton Bassett, will attempt to land his first Group One win in Saturday’s Champagne Stakes at Randwick.

A first foal from Oakleigh Plate co-winner Celebrity Queen—purchased by Coolmore for $2.5 million—State Visit has already displayed elite potential in a brief career, prompting his owners to race rather than sell.

Johann Gerard-Dubord, assistant to trainer Ciaron Maher, says the team is confident the colt will handle the rise to 1600 metres.

“The mile he will be trying for the first time but 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 a debut victory at Canterbury, the colt finished fast from the tail to place in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) and was again strong late in a close second to Vinrock in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

With James McDonald booked to ride from the widest barrier, State Visit will face a stern challenge in the 12-horse field.

“At his first start he was very impressive running good sectionals but he was still very new,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“Second start he had to go all the way back and make his run on the outside, which is not easy to do, and last start he was very good. Jason (Collett) said he actually didn’t see the horse (winner Vinrock) on his inside and that’s why he came back again in the end.

“He’s got the best attitude, a beautiful action. He is a lovely colt so we will try to get that Group One win.”

Nepotism remains the market leader at $4.20, ahead of Within The Law ($5) and State Visit at $6.50 for the feature event.