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date | Sat 11 Nov 2023 |
track | Flemington |
distance | 2000m |
conditions | WFA |
status | Group 1 |
prizemoney | $3,000,000 |
The Champions Stakes was known as the Melbourne Stakes when first run in 1869, before becoming the Mackinnon Stakes in 1937, a name which it held for the best part of 85 years. In 2022 the VRC decided to revamp the final Saturday of Melbourne Cup week into Champions Day, with this 2000m WFA race becoming part of three Champions races on the day. Up until 2016, the race was run on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup, and Bart Cummings was famous for using it to give his horses their final hit-out before the Cup.
Wakeful (1901-03 and Tranquil Star (1942, 1944-45) won the race three times each, while plenty have won it twice, including the greatest of them all in Phar Lap. Other greats of the Australian turf to have taken it out are Carbine, Peter Pan, Tulloch, Dulcify, Better Loosen Up, Lonhro and So You Think.
West Wind Blows will jump the favourite after two mighty efforts in the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup, where he was second in both. We just saw Without A Fight and Soulcombe quinella the Melbourne Cup after running well in the Caulfield Cup, so it’s the right form. If he’s held his form, it should be his race to lose.
Duais showed sensational closing speed in the Cox Plate, but got trapped when Damien Oliver chose to go left instead of right in the home straight. Many will always argue that she should have won that race, if only he had made a different decision. If she reproduces that form, which was her best run since the autumn of 2022, then she can win. Let’s not forget she won the Australian Cup at this track and distance.
Atishu was enormous in the Empire Rose Stakes last week, without quite being able to run down tearaway leader Pride of Jenni. She beat the rest of the field by three lengths, and is arguably even better suited up to 2000m now. When right, and she can be enigmatic, not many show her acceleration and ability to sweep into a race.
Prowess could be the best 1600m-2000m to come out of New Zealand since Melody Belle. She had a setback earlier this spring, which prevented her from competing in the Cox Plate, but she would surely have been thereabouts. It was good to see her measure up against older horses at WFA, albeit second tier, when winning the Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley, but he question is whether this race has come too quickly.
Selections: 1.West Wind Blows 2.Duais 3.Atishu 4.Prowess
WIN
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
YEAR | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINERS |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | Zaaki | Jamie Kah | Annabel Neasham |
2021 | Zaaki | James McDonald | Annabel Neasham |
2020 | Arcadia Queen | Luke Currie | Grant and Alana Williams |
2019 | Magic Wand | Ryan Moore | Aidan O'Brien |
2018 | Trap For Fools | John Allen | Jarrod McLean |
2017 | Tosen Stardom | Damian Lane | Darren Weir |
2016 | Awesome Rock | Stephen Baster | Leon & Troy Corstens |
2015 | Gailo Chop | Ben Melham | Antoine de Watrigant |
2014 | Happy Trails | Damien Oliver | Paul Beshara |
2013 | Side Glance | Jamie Spencer | Andrew Balding |
2012 | Alcopop | Craig Williams | Jake Stephens |
2011 | Glass Harmonium | Damien Oliver | Michael Moroney |
2010 | So You Think | Steven Arnold | Bart Cummings |