Chris Waller‘s historic eight-length Ladbrokes Cox Plate winning mare Via Sistina continues her incredible spring campaign this weekend lining-up as the odds-on elect in an incredible 2024 VRC Champions Stakes field at Flemington.
A dozen of the country’s most talented racehorses face off in the Group 1 $3 million VRC Champions Stakes (2000m) which is one of three elite level events on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival this weekend.
Waller’s outstanding daughter of Fastnet Rock, seven-year-old Via Sistina, set a new Cox Plate record at The Valley destroying her rivals in emphatic fashion on October 28.
She returns chasing a hat-trick having also won the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) here at the Champions Stakes track and trip two back and is drawn to get the run of the race on Stakes Day in gate four with James McDonald in the saddle.
There is no denying the class, dominance and ratings of this mare who understandably sits top of Champions Stakes betting at a short $1.70 through Ladbrokes.com.au to hand her trainer and jockey back-to-back wins in the event following their success with Atishu in 2023.
The danger at current Champions Stakes odds of $7.50 is the stable’s defending champion Atishu looking to join Zaaki (2021-22) as a recent two-time champion.
The seven-year-old daughter of Savabeel presents fit on the quick back-up after narrowly saluting in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day.
That was her fourth win from nine runs at Flemington and she’s got a lovely 2000m record (8:3-1-2) back up to the trip again after a Turnbull sixth and Group 1 Might And Power third earlier this spring.
The other hope at single figures in betting and the early Champions Stakes market mover with plenty of hype surrounding his return is the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double hero from last spring, Without A Fight.
He has been backed in from $16 right into $9 to salute in his first run since become the 163rd Melbourne Cup winner by over two lengths last November.
The now eight-year-old son of Teofilo returns from injury without a lead-up trial but word is he’s back and going as good as ever despite the year off.
Other standouts in the field include Ciaron Maher‘s Caulfield Cup champ Duke De Sessa ($14) back in trip, Harry Eustace’s UK raider Docklands ($15) who was a dual acceptor scratched from Sydney’s Five Diamonds in favour of this Flemington assignment, and Might And Power winner Deny Knowledge ($23) for value.
The 2024 Champions Stakes is set to run as Flemington Race 8 at 5:10pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s nine-race card.
Champions Stakes 2024 Odds
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Without A Fight (9)
J: Mark Zahra 59kg
T: A & S Freedman |
||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation by 2.25 len this track G1 Melb Cup November 7 over 3200m defeating Soulcombe carrying 56.5kg at $8. When resuming last campaign sixth of 15 at Caulfield in the G1 Underwood September 23 2023 over 1800m, 2.25 len behind Alligator Blood carrying 59kg at $4.50. Cups double champion fresh off an injury; might need this. | ||
|
2. Duke De Sessa (4)
J: Harry Coffey 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
| Racing well. At the latest run won by 1.3 len at Caulfield G1 Caul Cup October 19 over 2400m on a soft track defeating Buckaroo with 52kg at $11. The race before that 4th of 16 at this track in the G1 Turnbull on October 5 over 2000m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Via Sistina with 55kg at $13. Going very well, can give some cheek. | ||
|
3. Arapaho (10)
J: Ben Melham 59kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up ran last of 17 at Rosehill Alan Brown on October 12 over 1400m, 13 len behind Here To Shock with 58.5kg at $151. Last start 4th of 11 at Randwick in the G3 Craven Plt on October 26 over 1800m, 0.7 len behind Lindermann carrying 59kg at $51. This looks too tough. | ||
|
4. Nugget (7)
J: Michael Dee 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
| At the latest run made ground from midfield; 3rd of 11 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Crystl Mile on October 26 over 1600m, 1.2 len behind Plenty Of Ammo carrying 57kg at $6. Before that 12th of 20 at Randwick in the G1 Epsom on October 5 over 1600m, 4.5 len behind Ceolwulf with 54kg at $26. Looks tested against this line-up. | ||
|
5. Future History (5)
J: Dylan Browne McMonagle 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
| Useful gelding. At the latest run favourite; won by 1.5 len at Moonee Valley G3 Jra Cup October 26 over 2040m defeating Promises Kept with 58kg at $3. Before that sat behind the speed prior to fading 13th of 17 at Randwick in the G1 The Metrop on October 5 over 2400m, 8 len behind Land Legend with 51.5kg at $10. Outclassed. | ||
|
6. Eliyass (2)
J: Nash Rawiller 59kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
||
| Most recently 7th of 18 at Caulfield in the G1 Caul Cup on October 19 over 2400m, slow going 10 len behind Duke De Sessa carrying 53kg at $6.50. Before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 16 at this track in the G1 Turnbull on October 5 over 2000m, slow going 1.75 len behind Via Sistina with 56.5kg at $3.30. Back to 2000m suits, he can give a sight. | ||
|
7. Docklands (6)
J: Declan Bates 59kg
T: Harry Eustace |
||
| Second-up today. Last outing 5th of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G1 Cox Plate on October 26 over 2040m, 11 len behind Via Sistina carrying 59kg at $26. At only start last preparation 7th of 13 at York in the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes on August 21 over 2112m, 11 len behind City Of Troy with 61kg at $67. Not bad in Cox Plate but inclined to risk. | ||
|
8. Royal Champion (8)
J: Craig Williams 59kg
T: A & S Freedman |
||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 10 at this track in the LR Headquarters on October 5 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Uncle Bryn carrying 61kg at $3.80. Last start 2nd of 11 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Crystl Mile on October 26 over 1600m, 0.8 len behind Plenty Of Ammo with 57kg at $4. Better last time, can improve again although this is harder. | ||
|
10. Via Sistina (3)
J: James McDonald 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently won by 8 len at Moonee Valley G1 Cox Plate October 26 over 2040m defeating Prognosis carrying 57kg at $5. The race before that won by a head at this track G1 Turnbull October 5 over 2000m on a rain affected track defeating Buckaroo with 57kg at $4. One of the best wins you'll see last time; anything like that and she just wins. | ||
|
11. Atishu (1)
J: Jye McNeil 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run favourite; won by a head at this track G1 Empire Rose November 2 over 1600m defeating Amelia's Jewel with 57kg at $3.50. The race before that 3rd of 8 at Caulfield in the G1 Caulfield Stks on October 12 over 2000m, 1.5 len behind Deny Knowledge carrying 57kg at $4. Suited on the backup, will be running on strongly. | ||
|
12. Deny Knowledge (11)
J: Damian Lane 57kg
T: A & S Freedman |
||
| At the latest run crossed from a wide gate to lead but couldn't hold on when 5th of 18 at Caulfield in the G1 Caul Cup on October 19 over 2400m, slow going 9 len behind Duke De Sessa with 50.5kg at $19. The run before that won by 0.8 len at Caulfield G1 Caulfield Stks October 12 over 2000m defeating Mr Brightside carrying 57kg at $8.50. Like her back in trip, she can give a big sight. | ||
| 9. Kingswood (3) | ||
Data retrieved: 09/11/2024 08:47:26 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
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Race comments
It's impossible to tip against VIA SISTINA (10) who was breathtaking in the G1 Cox Plate, producing one of the best wins ever seen in Australia in ridiculously fast time. She likely regresses off that, but even her best form prior would have her a clear favourite. If she's not flat off that run, she should just win. ATISHU (11) won this last year off a slashing run in the Empire Rose and returns off a win in that race on Saturday. She's a top mare who should run well. ELIYASS (6) faded in the G1 Caulfield Cup but had been very well backed to beat VIA SISTINA in the G1 Turnbull Stakes prior and back to 2000m suits. He can take catching, as can DENY KNOWLEDGE (12) who tried hard in the Caulfield Cup off a good win at G1 level prior. ROYAL CHAMPION (8) will be fitter again and can get into the finish.