Best Bets for Melbourne Cup at Flemington
Best Bets for Champions Stakes at Flemington
Champions Stakes Day brings up the fourth and final meeting on Cup Week. It features three Group One races, including the Champions Stakes (2000m).
The Champions Stakes is worth $3 million in prize money and is open to three-year-olds and above. Last year’s renewal was won by Via Sistina, who will now bid to become only the third horse in the last 50 years to defend their crown.
Here is a look at the best bets for the Champions Stakes and some of the supporting races on another big afternoon of racing in Victoria.
BEST BET: VIA SISTINA
Champions Stakes (Race 7)
Champion mare Via Sistina brought her Group One winning tally up to 11 when she prevailed in the Cox Plate for the second consecutive year last month. Her margin of victory was not as wide as in 2024, but this time she proved her battling qualities, beating Buckaroo by a short head.
Chris Waller has his mare in the best shape of her career, so this quick reappearance in the Champions Stakes should not be a problem for the daughter of Fastnet Rock. She has now accumulated over $15 million in career prize money, and she is not done yet.
Via Sistina equalled Winx’s record of seven consecutive Group One victories last season, cementing her place alongside some of the greats in the sport. After her Cox Plate triumph, it would be no surprise to see her go on another winning run this season, although she is likely to be given a break following this latest outing.
Opposition to Via Sistina in this year’s Champions Stakes includes Lindermann, Tom Kitten, and Ceolwulf. All three of those horses deserve respect; however, it appears Waller’s mare has scared off a few from this race, as they would be fighting it out for second place behind the defending champion.
SECOND BEST BET: LEICA LUCY
Matriarch Stakes (Race 9)
Leica Lucy was nominated for both the Champion Stakes and Matriarch Stakes on Champions Stakes Day, but her connections have opted for the latter, which could prove a wise move. She is the standout name in the Group Two field.
Waller has not been afraid to take on the big Group One races with Leica Lucy this season. She finished a respectable third in the Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield, while last time out, she was runner-up in Flemington’s Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) behind Pride Of Jenni.
The former New Zealand Oaks winner is stepping up in distance to 2000m in the Matriarch Stakes. She has shaped like she will appreciate the extra 400 metres in her more recent appearances.
In what could be a big day for Waller, Leica Lucy can pick up a confidence-boosting win here and put herself back in the Group One mix later in the campaign.
BEST VALUE: ETNA ROSSO
Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Race 8)
Etna Rosso has been running consistently well in some of the leading staying races over the last six months. He was second in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm, runner-up in the Group Two Brisbane Cup (3200m), while on his last outing, he chased home Travolta in the St Leger Stakes (2600m).
The six-year-old gelding will need to reverse his form with Birdman from the Kingston Town Stakes when the pair meet again in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes; however, this is over 600 metres further, and that will suit Etna Rosso.
Looking for the best Bookmakers to bet on The Champions Stakes?
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