The VRC Champions Mile - formerly known as the Cantala Stakes - is one of three $3 million Flemington Group 1 races contested on Day 4 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival - VRC Champions Stakes Day.
2024 Champions Mile Results
- 1st: #1 Mr Brightside
- 2nd: #4 Antino
- 3rd: #10 Fangirl
Champions Mile News
- 2024 Champions Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr B, Jenni, Antino Among Standouts
- 2023 Champions Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni All-The-Way Winner
- Open Champions Mile 2023 Field & Betting Market: Fangirl Narrow Favourite
- Private Eye Heads 2022 Champions Mile Field & Betting for Stakes Day
- 2021 Kennedy Cantala Results: Superstorm Dives Late To Win
The VRC Champions Mile – formerly known as the Cantala Stakes – is one of Melbourne’s richest 1600m races for the spring with $3 million prize money as of 2022. This Group 1 race is currently a weight-for-age event now held at Flemington on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Racing Carnival.
2024 Champions Mile Results
- 1st: #1 Mr Brightside ($5)
- 2nd: #4 Antino
- 3rd: #10 Fangirl
Mr Brightside ($5) was back to his brilliant best with the event’s two-time placegetter finally finishing on top of Flemington’s 2024 Champions Mile results when charging home late with Craig Williams aboard to deny the hard closing Antino victory.
Click here for the full story.
VRC Champions Mile 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
1. Mr Brightside (3)
J: Craig Williams 59kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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2nd
4. Antino (10)
J: Mark Zahra 59kg
T: Tony Gollan |
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3rd
10. Fangirl (8)
J: James McDonald 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
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4th
12. Stefi Magnetica (4)
J: Chad Schofield 57kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
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5th
11. Amelia's Jewel (9)
J: Damian Lane 57kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
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6th
7. New Energy (2)
J: Dylan Browne McMonagle 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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7th
3. Pinstriped (7)
J: Ben Allen 59kg
T: Enver Jusufovic |
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8th
8. Von Hauke (1)
J: Josh Parr 59kg
T: Cliff Brown |
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9th
2. My Oberon (5)
J: Nash Rawiller 59kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
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10th
13. Broadsiding (11)
J: Michael Dee 52kg
T: James Cummings |
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11th
9. Pride Of Jenni (6)
J: Ben Melham 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
Data retrieved: 23/11/2024 09:14:39 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Previously run the Saturday prior on Victoria Derby Day, the Champions Mile was moved ahead of the 2022 edition and now takes place on the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup, which runs on the first Tuesday of November.
The Champions Mile now shares the race card at HQ with the recently renamed VRC Champions Stakes – formerly the Mackinnon Stakes – which is also now worth $3 million in prize money.
The other key event on the race card is the Group 1 $3 million Champions Sprint (1200m), formerly known as the VRC Sprint Classic and attracting horses out of Sydney’s $20 million The Everest race.
Any fillies and mares targeting the Champions Mile may have an earlier lead-up run in Sydney’s $2 million The Invitation (1400m). In 2021 The Invitation winner Icebath finished a brave next-up second in the event, which was then held as the Cantala Stakes on Derby Day.
The 2022 Champions Mile form was franked the following autumn with the winner Alligator Blood returning to take out the 2023 Futurity Stakes. The 2022 Champions Mile third placegetter Mr Brightside meanwhile further franked the form completing the All-Star Mile / Doncaster Mile double in 2023.
The 2023 Champions Mile winner in an all-the-way upset was Pride Of Jenni who backed-up off a win in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) the Saturday before on Derby Day.
Pride Of Jenni went on to frank the Champions Mile 2023 form returning in the autumn of 2024 to win the All-Star Mile and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes – the latter by a record 6.5 lengths!
Mr Brightside returned for his third Champions Mile run improving off a 3rd in 2022 and 2nd in 2023 to win the 2024 edition and celebrate his eighth career Group 1 success!
The 2024 Champions Mile ran on Saturday November 9, 2024 as part of the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington and was won in an exciting finish by the Team Hayes-trained eight-time Group 1 hero Mr Brightside ($5).
| Champions Mile 2024 – (Formerly the Cantala Stakes) | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday November 9, 2024 |
| Racecourse: | Flemington Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1600m |
| Race Type: | Open Quality |
| Status: | Group 1 |
| Prizemoney: | $3,000,000 |
2024 Champions Mile Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Craig Williams | 3 | 59kg | $5 | |||
| 2 | 4 | ANTINO (NZ) | Tony Gollan | Mark Zahra | 0.46L | 10 | 59kg | $8 | ||
| 3 | 10 | FANGIRL | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 0.92L | 8 | 57kg | $5 | ||
| 4 | 12 | STEFI MAGNETICA | Bjorn Baker | Chad Schofield | 1.12L | 4 | 57kg | $13 | ||
| 5 | 11 | AMELIA’S JEWEL | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Damian Lane | 2.12L | 9 | 57kg | $10 | ||
| 6 | 7 | NEW ENERGY (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Dylan Browne McMonagle | 3.37L | 2 | 59kg | $61 | ||
| 7 | 3 | PINSTRIPED | Enver Jusufovic | Ben Allen | 4.12L | 7 | 59kg | $41 | ||
| 8 | 8 | VON HAUKE (NZ) | Cliff Brown | Joshua Parr | 5.12L | 1 | 59kg | $101 | ||
| 9 | 2 | MY OBERON (IRE) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Nash Rawiller | 5.87L | 5 | 59kg | $12 | ||
| 10 | 13 | BROADSIDING | James Cummings | Michael Dee | 6.33L | 11 | 52kg | $8 | ||
| 11 | 9 | PRIDE OF JENNI | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 7.08L | 6 | 57kg | $4.80F | ||
| 6 | ANOTHER WIL | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 0 | ||||||
| 5 | DESERT LIGHTNING (NZ) | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2024 Champions Mile Betting
Champions Mile betting odds open months in advance of the race with all-in markets on the potential milers targeting the $3 million event released by online bookmakers.
The season’s latest Champions Mile 2024 Odds will be available at Ladbrokes.com.au and published here at Races.com.au.
There was a notable upset in 2023 with Pride Of Jenni winning at Champions Mile odds of $13.
2024 Champions Mile Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Champions Mile 2024 Tips on the $3 million middle-distance feature on Stakes Day this spring!
- To Win: #1 Mr Brightside ($5.50 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Great edition of the Champions Mile with plenty of winning hopes including Broadsiding back to 1600m who looks a danger but going to stick with Mr B who is deserving of a return to the winner’s stall. His Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes victory at this track and trip in Heavy going earlier this prep was sensational and he’s been far from disgraced without winning when up against the best of the best all campaign. Latest run had him finishing off strongly behind the incredible eight-length champ Via Sistina when fourth the Cox Plate (2040m). This Team Hayes-trained marvel keeps giving, he’ll relish coming back to 1600m, has a lovely record at Flemington, and is drawn to win in gate four. Back on him.
2024 Champions Mile Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2024 CHAMPIONS MILE FORM GUIDE
If you are serious about your betting, you will need a good Champions Mile Form Guide to help in your analysis of the runners. Follow the link to our dedicated page that gives you a run down on the Champions Mile form guide, how to read the information provided in the guide and where to go for the best Champions Mile form guide each season.
2024 Champions Mile Field
The Champions Mile field – formerly known as the Kennedy Cantala field – is normally comprised of the horses from the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) run at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day in late October and graduates of the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) run at Caulfield at the start of October on Caulfield Guineas Day. Fierce Impact (2019) was the last galloper to complete the Toorak Handicap – Kennedy Cantala double in a single season.
In 2024 the Toorak Handicap winner Antino finished a brave second in that year’s Champions Mile results behind Mr Brightside.
The official Champions Mile 2024 Final Field & Barriers are set for release on the Wednesday leading-up to Champions Stakes Day at Flemington, the full list of milers to be published in full below once announced.
The 2024 Champions Mile field features a brilliant line-up of middle-distance starts including Mr Brightside, Cox Plate third placed three-year-old Broadsiding, runaway Toorak Handicap champ Antino, and the defending champion Pride Of Jenni.
Click here to read more on the key runners in the Champions Mile 2024 field and betting markets.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1253×21224 | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Craig Williams | 4 | 59kg | 118 | ||
| 2 | 64730×0263 | MY OBERON (IRE) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Nash Rawiller | 6 | 59kg | 110 | ||
| 3 | 500x0x2173 | PINSTRIPED | Enver Jusufovic | Ben Allen | 8 | 59kg | 112 | ||
| 4 | 0x160x4331 | ANTINO (NZ) | Tony Gollan | Mark Zahra | 12 | 59kg | 113 | ||
| 5 | 131139×314 | DESERT LIGHTNING (NZ) | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 11 | 59kg | 110 | ||
| 6 | 11117×1171 | ANOTHER WIL | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 2 | 59kg | 109 | ||
| 7 | 43x209x658 | NEW ENERGY (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Dylan Browne McMonagle | 3 | 59kg | 101 | ||
| 8 | 32x715x894 | VON HAUKE (NZ) | Cliff Brown | Joshua Parr | 1 | 59kg | 98 | ||
| 9 | 2121×52128 | PRIDE OF JENNI | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 7 | 57kg | 121 | ||
| 10 | 174x12x316 | FANGIRL | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 9 | 57kg | 117 | ||
| 11 | 0x220x2252 | AMELIA’S JEWEL | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Damian Lane | 10 | 57kg | 112 | ||
| 12 | 42x531x295 | STEFI MAGNETICA | Bjorn Baker | Chad Schofield | 5 | 57kg | 113 | ||
| 13 | 331111×143 | BROADSIDING | James Cummings | Michael Dee | 13 | 52kg | 112 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2024 Champions Mile Nominations
The early Champions Mile Nominations close the Monday of race week and will be updated right here once early entries are confirmed.
The 2024 Champions Mile nominations attracted 20 class gallopers including runaway Toorak Handicap champion Antino, Another Wil on the quick back-up off a second in last Saturday’s The Damien Oliver, smart mare Amelia’s Jewel who was runner-up in Derby Day’s Empire Rose, and weight-for-age hero Mr Brightside who ran second last year.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0x220x2252 | AMELIA’S JEWEL | M | 5 | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 112 |
| 2 | 11117×1171 | ANOTHER WIL | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher | 109 |
| 3 | 0x160x4331 | ANTINO (NZ) | G | 6 | Tony Gollan | 113 |
| 4 | 8132×96631 | ATISHU (NZ) | M | 7 | Chris Waller | 114 |
| 5 | 331111×143 | BROADSIDING | C | 3 | James Cummings | 112 |
| 6 | 4x618x4083 | DEMOCRACY MANIFEST | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 106 |
| 7 | 131139×314 | DESERT LIGHTNING (NZ) | G | 5 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 110 |
| 8 | x3x222x7x5 | DOCKLANDS (GB) | H | 5 | Harry Eustace | 110 |
| 9 | 174x12x316 | FANGIRL | M | 6 | Chris Waller | 117 |
| 10 | 2555×72733 | HINGED | M | 6 | Chris Waller | 104 |
| 11 | 1253×21224 | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | G | 7 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 118 |
| 12 | 64730×0263 | MY OBERON (IRE) | G | 8 | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 110 |
| 13 | 43x209x658 | NEW ENERGY (IRE) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher | 101 |
| 14 | x73407x803 | NUGGET (GB) | G | 8 | Ciaron Maher | 103 |
| 15 | 500x0x2173 | PINSTRIPED | G | 6 | Enver Jusufovic | 112 |
| 16 | 2121×52128 | PRIDE OF JENNI | M | 7 | Ciaron Maher | 121 |
| 17 | 9x513x2x62 | ROYAL CHAMPION (IRE) | G | 7 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 109 |
| 18 | x2219x5139 | SOUTHPORT TYCOON | H | 4 | Ciaron Maher | 113 |
| 19 | 42x531x295 | STEFI MAGNETICA | M | 4 | Bjorn Baker | 113 |
| 20 | 32x715x894 | VON HAUKE (NZ) | G | 5 | Cliff Brown | 98 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Champions Mile Betting
Champions Mile betting – is always hugely popular as the race runs on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival meeting and features a star-studded field of milers and past Group 1 winners. Check out our dedicated Champions Mile betting page for everything to do with enjoying a punt on the $3 million dollar feature including tips for the Champions Mile Trifecta.
Kennedy Cantala / Champions Mile Winners
Check out our dedicated Champions Mile Results page for a full list of the past Kennedy Cantala / Champions Mile winners.
| YEAR | WINNER | 2ND | 3RD | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Mr Brightside | Antino | Fangirl | 1:36.02 |
| 2023 | Pride Of Jenni | Mr Brightside | Alligator Blood | 1:34.75 |
| 2022 | Alligator Blood | Tuvalu | Mr Brightside | 1:35.6 |
| 2021 | Superstorm | Icebath | Cascadian | 1:35.2 |
| 2020 | Yulong Prince | Cascadian | Rock | 1:34.5 |
| 2019 | Fierce Impact | Fifty Stars | Cascadian | 1:38.2 |
| 2018 | Best Of Days | Le Romain | Peaceful State | 1:33.6 |
| 2017 | Shillelagh | Tom Melbourne | Wyndspelle | 1:35.0 |
| 2016 | Le Romain | McCreery | Tivaci | 1:34.9 |
| 2015 | Turn Me Loose | Politeness | Rock Sturdy | 1:36.2 |
| 2014 | Hucklebuck | Lucky Hussler | The Cleaner | 1:34.6 |
| 2013 | Boban | Smokin’ Joey | Speediness | 1:36.5 |
| 2012 | Happy Trails | Fawkner | Secret Admirer | 1:35.9 |
| 2011 | Albert The Fat | King’s Rose | Secret Admirer | 1:36.0 |
| 2010 | Wall Street | Dao Dao | Chasm | 1:36.7 |
| 2009 | All American | So You Think | Gold Salute | 1:33.9 |
| 2008 | All Silent | Sea Battle | Mimi Lebrock | 1:35.8 |
| 2007 | Tears I Cry | Bird Dancer | Shinzig | 1:35.2 |
| 2006 | Divine Madonna | Niconero | Valedictum | 1:35.5 |
| 2005 | Valedictum | Infinite Grace | Shania Dane | 1:34.9 |
| 2004 | Sky Cuddle | Lad Of The Manor | Skewiff | 1:39.1 |
| 2003 | Titanic Jack | True Glo | Crawl | 1:34.7 |
| 2002 | Scenic Peak | Crawl | Excellerator | 1:33.4 |
| 2001 | Desert Eagle | Emission | La Bella Dama | 1:37.3 |
| 2000 | Testa Rosaa | Weasel Will | Crawl | 1:35.5 |
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.