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
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Mr Brightside (4)
J: Craig Williams 59kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
||
| Recent form sound. Last start 4th of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G1 Cox Plate on October 26 over 2040m, 10 len behind Via Sistina with 59kg at $7.50. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 8 at Caulfield in the G1 Caulfield Stks on October 12 over 2000m, 0.8 len behind Deny Knowledge with 59kg at $1.70. Been up a long time but should give his all again. | ||
|
2. My Oberon (6)
J: Nash Rawiller 59kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
||
| At the latest run sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 11 at Randwick in the G1 King Charles III on October 19 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Ceolwulf carrying 59kg at $26. The start before that ran on from midfield; 6th of 20 at Randwick in the G1 Epsom on October 5 over 1600m, 3 len behind Ceolwulf with 56.5kg at $16. Racing very well, wouldn't shock. | ||
|
3. Pinstriped (8)
J: Ben Allen 59kg
T: Enver Jusufovic |
||
| Most recently 3rd of 15 at Caulfield in the G3 Moonga Stks on October 19 over 1400m, slow going 2.5 len behind Mighty Ulysses with 60kg at $4. The race before that second last of 8 at this track in the G1 Makybe Diva on September 14 over 1600m, in the wet; 18 len behind Mr Brightside with 59kg at $11. Looks outclassed. | ||
|
4. Antino (12)
J: Mark Zahra 59kg
T: Tony Gollan |
||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run won by 6 len at Caulfield G1 Toorak Hcp October 12 over 1600m defeating Craig with 55.5kg at $4.50. The run before that second last in a small field at Moonee Valley in the G2 Feehan on September 27 over 1600m, 2.25 len behind Pride Of Jenni with 59kg at $13. Given an all-time ride to win dominantly last time; rates highly. | ||
|
5. Desert Lightning (11)
J: Luke Nolen 59kg
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
||
| Dual acceptor. Most recently 4th of 12 at Caulfield in the G1 Toorak Hcp on October 12 over 1600m, 8 len behind Antino carrying 57kg at $8.50. The race before that won by 1.0 len at Sandown-Hillside G3 Sand Stks September 28 over 1500m defeating Craig carrying 59.5kg at $5. Not keen on his chances this time. | ||
|
6. Another Wil (2)
J: Declan Bates 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
| Last start won by 1.3 len at this track G2 Linlithgow November 2 over 1400m defeating Jimmysstar carrying 57.5kg at $3.80. The start before that didn't do much in the run home; 7th of 12 at Caulfield in the G1 Toorak Hcp on October 12 over 1600m, 9 len behind Antino carrying 55kg at $2.10. New test here but it wouldn't shock if he ran a huge race. | ||
|
7. New Energy (3)
J: Dylan Browne McMonagle 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
| Most recently got back early 8th of 11 at Randwick in the G1 King Charles III on October 19 over 1600m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Ceolwulf carrying 59kg at $101. Before that 5th of 11 at Rosehill in the G2 Shannon on September 28 over 1500m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Amor Victorious carrying 55.5kg at $5.50. Not good enough. | ||
|
8. Von Hauke (1)
J: Josh Parr 59kg
T: Cliff Brown |
||
| Most recently 4th of 11 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Crystl Mile on October 26 over 1600m, 1.2 len behind Plenty Of Ammo carrying 58kg at $21. The start before that eased back early on 9th of 15 at Caulfield in the LR Weekend Hussler on October 12 over 1400m, 5.5 len behind Jimmysstar with 57kg at $21. Likely to find this out of reach. | ||
|
9. Pride Of Jenni (7)
J: Ben Melham 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
| Useful mare. Last start second last of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G1 Cox Plate on October 26 over 2040m, 15 len behind Via Sistina carrying 57kg at $4. The start before that set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 11 at Randwick in the G1 King Charles III on October 19 over 1600m, slow going 0.7 len behind Ceolwulf carrying 57kg at $2.60. Back to 1600m suits but she's had a tough few weeks. | ||
|
10. Fangirl (9)
J: James McDonald 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
| At the latest run 6th of 11 at Randwick in the G1 King Charles III on October 19 over 1600m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Ceolwulf with 57kg at $2.90. The start before that settled well back; won by 0.6 len at Randwick 7 Stakes September 21 over 1600m defeating My Oberon with 57kg at $1.70. Disappointing last time but if she has a wicked turn of foot and can bounce back. | ||
|
11. Amelia's Jewel (10)
J: Damian Lane 57kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
||
| At the latest run 2nd of 13 at this track in the G1 Empire Rose on November 2 over 1600m, head behind Atishu carrying 57kg at $5. The race before that 5th of 11 at Randwick in the G1 King Charlesiii on October 19 over 1600m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Ceolwulf carrying 57kg at $17. Good mare but this is a very tough race. | ||
|
12. Stefi Magnetica (5)
J: Chad Schofield 57kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
||
| Useful mare. Most recently 5th of 20 at Rosehill Golden Eagle on November 2 over 1500m, 2 len behind Lake Forest carrying 55.5kg at $11. Before that 9th of 11 at Randwick in the G1 Everest on October 19 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Bella Nipotina with 56.5kg at $15. Desperately unlucky last time, this is harder again. | ||
|
13. Broadsiding (13)
J: Michael Dee 52kg
T: James Cummings |
||
| At the latest run 3rd of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G1 Cox Plate on October 26 over 2040m, 10 len behind Via Sistina carrying 49.5kg at $6.50. The race before that 4th of 11 at Caulfield in the G1 Caul Guineas on October 12 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Private Life with 57kg at $1.80. Very good last time; he's clearly G1 quality. | ||
Data retrieved: 08/11/2024 08:11:41 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. ANOTHER WIL (6) can win. He started $2.20 in the G1 Toorak two starts back but bounced back to win the G2 Damien Oliver very well last time. He's on the backup here and draws to stalk and dash, which he did last week. 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.