The Champions Stakes is one of the premier races during the Spring Racing Carnival and always attracts a stellar field.
Run over 2000m, two weeks after the Cox Plate, the Group 1 event was first run in 1869 and has been won by some of our greatest horses, including Carbine (1890), Phar Lap (1930,31,) and more recently So You Think (2010).
Via Sistina is looking for back-to-back wins in the race, but we have gone through all 11 runners below to help you find the winner.
1. Tom Kitten (8) – Anthony & Sam Freedman
- Odds: $9.50 (at time of publish)
The 2025 All-Star Mile winner rarely runs a bad race but he has failed to place in all three starts so far this campaign.
He came from back in the field to get within 2.5 lengths of Ceolwolf in the Group 1 King Charles last start but just one of his six career wins has been at 2000m.
Will be ready to peak now.
2. Light Infantry Man (3) – Ciaron Maher
- Odds: $10 (at time of publish)
Won the Group 1 Australian Cup at this track and distance during the autumn but he has been outclassed in all three runs this campaign so far.
Will be fit enough now but I feel he needs an easier grade.
Has drawn to get a nice run in transit and Flemington is his track.
3. Kovalica (2) – Chris Waller
- Odds: $16 (at time of publish)
All four runs this prep have been full of merit and he ran well into third behind Lindermann in the Group 2 Hill Stakes last start.
He won the Q22 in Queensland during the winter over 2200m so this distance is ideal for him.
4. Attrition (5) – Mitchell Freedman
- Odds: $14 (at time of publish)
Last win came in the Group 2 HIll Stakes this time last year and he is a winner of the Group 1 Toorak Handicap in 2023.
Placed in three consecutive races before finishing 3.3 lengths of Via Sistina in the Cox Plate.
It wouldn’t surprise to see him run well again.
5. Alenquer (11) – Ben, Will & JD Hayes
- Odds: $46 (at time of publish)
The stable has taken a different path with this horse after finishing 21st in last years Melbourne Cup.
He was a Group 1 winner in Europe before coming to Australia and hasn’t looked likely at this grade since arriving.
6. Pier (6) – Darryn & Briar Weatherley
- Odds: $12 (at time of publish)
Lightly raced six year old gelding who has been placed in 11 of his 16 career starts.
After romping in a Listed race in Queensland during the winter he has been good without winning during the spring but fitness will not be an issue at this stage of his campaign.
Drawn well and represents good value.
7. Golden Path (4) – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr
He’s an absolute beauty this horse and he tries his heart out every time he goes to the races.
He might not have the natural ability of some others in this race but if the pattern of the race pans out for him you know he’ll be in it for a long way.
Was beaten less than half a length in the Underwood Stakes behind Sir Delius and if he reproduces that, he’ll go close.
8. Point King (1) – Anthony & Sam Freedman
- Odds: $35 (at time of publish)
Was first up after over a year when resuming in the JRA Cup where it was obvious he needed the run.
Won the Group 3 Archer Stakes second up last spring but it would be some sort of training performance if he was to win a race of this quality.
9. Zambardo (9) – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr
- Odds: $19 (at time of publish)
Earns a shot at Group 1 racing after four consecutive wins albeit a a much lower grade.
He won a maiden at Pakenham in August and it would be some story if he could beat Via Sistina in one of our time-honoured races.
Can’t see it happening.
10. Via Sistina (10) – Chris Waller
- Odds: $1.70 (at time of publish)
As racing fans we often don’t give enough credit to our champions when they are racing and wait until they are finished.
This mare is a superstar of the turf and is looking to win the Cox Plate and Champions Stakes double for the second year in a row.
She’s not unbeatable as we saw in her two starts before her Cox Plate defence but it will take a very good performance to beat her.
11. Benagil (7)
- Odds: $19 (at time of publish)
The 2025 Australiasian Oaks winner has four wins from 14 career starts and gets out to a suitable distance for the first time this campaign.
I would have liked to see her finish off better in the Empire Rose last week to have some confidence.
SELECTIONS
- 1st: Via Sistina
- 2nd: Attrition
- 3rd: Tom Kitten
- 4th: Pier