Gr 1 – Champions Stakes Preview

The last race he ran in was the 2023 Melbourne Cup which he won easily. His legs have troubled him in trying to get back over the past year but he lines up here first up. Is capable of winning on his day. Has a brilliant record at this trip, and is generally very good first up. But, he’s an 8yo now and facing an in form monster in Via Sistina. Place.

Carried just 52kg and surprised everyone with the ease in which he smashed the Gr 1 Caulfield Cup field. Back behind him, a long way behind him in fact, were Knight’s Choice, Warp Speed, Zardozi and Buckaroo, horses that went 1, 2, 4 and 9 in the Melbourne Cup! Steps up to WFA here. Probably leads and could battle his way into a placing.

Good Sydney stayer who ran on impressively for 4th in the Gr 3 Craven Plate over 1800m last start. This is considerably harder but is 3rd up now.

Is an 8yo now but still racing with some zest as he showed last start when hitting the line well for 3rd in the Gr 2 Crystal Mile behind Plenty Of Ammo, who subsequently has failed at Gr 1 level since. Not keen.

Is racing. well with Gr 3 win over this trip at The Valley last start proving that. Did get thrashed at Gr1 level in early October though and Gr 1 here at WFA may also prove tough. Will probably go forward and sit 2nd most of the way.

Star Sydney stayer who after winning 5 on the trot, came to Melbourne and was a brave 3rd at WFA to Via Sistina and Buckaroo in Gr 1 Turnbull. Stepped up to the 2400m Gr 1 Caulfield Cup last start and after looming to win ran out of gas. Back to his fav trip here and rates highly.

Big question – do these English horses back up after great first-up runs down under? Most don’t. This bloke ran a cracking 5th in the Gr 1 Cox Plate behind Via Sistina at Aussie debut. Can he repeat the dose two weeks later? Hmmm, not so sure. If he does he’s a player.

Widely travelled European who has Group achievements in Europe and Canada and now here after a game 2nd when 2nd up in the Gr 2 Crystal mile last start. Likes being on pace and should be there for a long way. Big show.

Lightly raced but is improving every run. Is this a bridge too far though? Ran a slow time in easily winning the 2000m Coongy at Caulfield at Gr 3 level. This is considerably harder but he knows how to win races. Place.

Champion who won the Gr 1 Cox Plate by a country mile. Should do similar here.

Loves the Flemington course. Is on the quick backup from a great Gr 1 win on Saturday over a mile in the Empire Rose. Last year she plotted the same course, running 2nd in the Empire Rose before winning this race in good time. Sure to run brilliantly again as she is in grand form.

Interesting runner. She will make life hard for those wishing to lead as she is a natural-born front-runner. Tried that tactic but found the Gr 1 Caulfield Cup over 2400m just a tad too far last start. Is better suited here and did win a WFA 2000m race 2 starts back at Gr 1 level beating Mr Brightside and Atishu. Have in your numbers.