It is a truly standout Champions Mile 2024 field of middle-distance stars gathered at Flemington on Champions Stakes Day this Saturday with the likes of last year’s winner Pride Of Jenni, warhorse Mr Brightside, and Toorak hero Antino set to face off at HQ.
There are three elite level races on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival including the Group 1 $3 million Champions Mile (1600m) which features 13 of the season’s best.
In a tight betting market, there are three horses currently sharing favouritism at Champions Mile odds of $5.50 each including the Team Hayes-trained Mr Brightside looking to go one better than his second to Pride Of Jenni in last year’s quinella.
The talented Bullbars seven-year-old chases his first win since saluting on a Heavy (9) track at HQ over this course and distance in the Makybe Diva Stakes back in mid-September.
He has been consistent without winning since running second in the Feehan and Might And Power before a last start fourth when finishing off strongly behind historic eight-length champion Via Sistina in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley.
The gun weight-for-age galloper comes back to 1600m which he boasts a fantastic record over (19:11-4-1), is rock hard fit now at the end of another great prep and gets every chance from barrier four with Craig Williams riding.
Antino meanwhile is also now at $5.50 challenging in Champions Mile betting as a last start Group 1 winner over the distance by a big margin at Caulfield.
Tony Gollan‘s classy Queenslander put 6.5 lengths on his closest rival to win the Toorak on October 12 with 55.5kg.
The six-year-old son of Redwood now goes up to 59kg at weight-for-age with Mark Zahra booked for the ride from wider out in barrier 12.
The other best in betting is the Ciaron Maher-trained defending mare Pride Of Jenni looking to be the first dual Champions Mile winner since Seascay (1994-95).
The daughter of Pride Of Dubai did the Empire Rose Stakes – Champions Mile double on successive Saturdays last Cup Carnival.
This year the now seven-year-old comes off a disappointing Cox Plate eight place despite having beaten Via Sistina by 6.5 lengths over the distance in Sydney over the autumn in the Queen Elizbeth.
Prior to the Cox Plate her spring form was terrific including the win over Mr Brightside in the Feehan at her King Charles III Stakes second in Sydney.
How she pulled up post the Cox Plate run and likes coming back to a mile will be key to her chances this weekend.
Others at single figure Champions Mile odds also with genuine claims at the title include Chris Waller‘s $8.5 million earner Fangirl ($6.50) looking to bounce back from her sixth in the King Charles, Godolphin‘s triple Group 1 winning colt Broadsiding ($6.50) come off a Cox Plate third, and Maher’s early market mover Another Wil ($9) back up in distance off a Group 2 The Damien Oliver win over 1400m on Derby Day.
The 2024 Champions Mile is set to run as Flemington Race 7 at 4:30pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s nine-race card.
Champions Mile 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
1. Mr Brightside (3)
J: Craig Williams 59kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
||
|
2nd
4. Antino (10)
J: Mark Zahra 59kg
T: Tony Gollan |
||
|
3rd
10. Fangirl (8)
J: James McDonald 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
4th
12. Stefi Magnetica (4)
J: Chad Schofield 57kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
||
|
5th
11. Amelia's Jewel (9)
J: Damian Lane 57kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
||
|
6th
7. New Energy (2)
J: Dylan Browne McMonagle 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
|
7th
3. Pinstriped (7)
J: Ben Allen 59kg
T: Enver Jusufovic |
||
|
8th
8. Von Hauke (1)
J: Josh Parr 59kg
T: Cliff Brown |
||
|
9th
2. My Oberon (5)
J: Nash Rawiller 59kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
||
|
10th
13. Broadsiding (11)
J: Michael Dee 52kg
T: James Cummings |
||
|
11th
9. Pride Of Jenni (6)
J: Ben Melham 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
Data retrieved: 13/11/2024 05:36:10 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
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Race comments
Fantastic race. FANGIRL (10) is interesting. She struggled off the hot tempo set by PRIDE OF JENNI last time out but hits this race fourth-up and fresher than most. She was given far too much to do when fourth in this race last year, and there's a chance she gets a more comfortable tempo to show her turn of foot this time. MR BRIGHTSIDE (1) has had five runs this time in and continues to front up and run well. 1600m suits, it's just whether he's over the top. PRIDE OF JENNI (9) loses regular rider Declan Bates who has managed her very well. It'll be interesting to see how fast Melham goes in front. She's had some tough runs of late and could be needing a break, but she's hard to write off because she's outstanding when on. ANTINO (4) was enormous in the Toorak and does relish the 1600m. One for the multiples.