Toowoomba trainer Michael Flanigan is growing in confidence that his talented Choistar can become the first Queensland two-year-old in 44 years to win the Group One Champagne Stakes at Randwick.Choistar will be ridden by Corey Brown and will jump from barrier three in Saturday's 1600-metre feature which has attracted only seven runners.Flanigan is buoyed by a certain wet track as the son of Choisir bids to become the first Queenslander to win the Champagne Stakes since former glamour filly Eye L

Toowoomba trainer Michael Flanigan is growing in confidence that his talented Choistar can become the first Queensland two-year-old in 44 years to win the Group One Champagne Stakes at Randwick.

Choistar will be ridden by Corey Brown and will jump from barrier three in Saturday's 1600-metre feature which has attracted only seven runners.

Flanigan is buoyed by a certain wet track as the son of Choisir bids to become the first Queenslander to win the Champagne Stakes since former glamour filly Eye Liner in 1965.

Only two other Queensland two-year-olds, Definate (1974) and Daybreak Lover (1983), have gone close to equalling Eye Liner's feat when they were runners-up to Zasu and Lady Eclipse respectively.

Flanigan, who part-owns Choistar, confirmed a substantial offer from Hong Kong had been rejected for the colt.

"The horse is not for sale and never has been, but we received a substantial offer from Hong Kong and rejected it," Flanigan said.

"But I suppose everything is for sale if the price is right."

Flanigan is chasing his first Group One success with Choistar who gave him his only Sydney win when the youngster cleared away for a five-length victory in the Listed Fernhill Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on April 13.

Only two Queensland gallopers, the Noel Doyle-trained Kinjite in 1991 and champion Gunsynd, when prepared by Bill Wehlow in 1970, have won the Fernhill Handicap in the past 40 years.

"It looks like it could pour down with rain at any time and if the track stays wet it's only going to enhance his chances while it will deflate the hopes of some of the others," Flanigan said.

"The barriers will be of little relevance on a wet track."

Flanigan was surprised to learn of the Queensland hoodoo in the Champagne Stakes and the chance of rewriting the history books.

"I'm not sure how to respond about him equalling Eye Liner's feat," he said.

"She was a great filly but I suppose it will put him in her league if he wins.

"He's a very good colt and is on his way through to the Victoria Derby in the spring."

Flanigan hopes Choistar will return home to tackle the Group One TJ Smith (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June following the Champagne Stakes.

"If he runs well I want to bring him home for the TJ Smith but it depends if he holds together and pulls up well after Saturday," he said.

Flanigan's highlight in a 25-year training career was winning the Group Two O'Shea Stakes (2400m) at Eagle Farm in 1994 with Full Suit, who failed in two starts in Sydney when he went south the following year.

"Before Choistar, I had only ever taken Full Suit and Zirconium to Sydney but neither managed to win down here," he said.