Champions Mile Racing Tips - Autumn Glow to showcase her talent on the big stage at Flemington

The Chris Waller-trained mare has won 14 of her 15 career starts and has been breathtaking in her three victories this preparation. She was dominant in the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick at her most recent outing, settling close to the speed before putting her rivals away with minimal fuss.

Her only career defeat came when fourth-up over the 2000m in the autumn, but she has otherwise built an extraordinary record that includes victories in the Golden Eagle and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. On the occasions she has been placed under pressure, she has found another gear, and the manner of her recent victories suggests she could still have further improvement to come.

The main question surrounds her ability to handle the Melbourne way of going, but she has reportedly settled in well and pleased connections in her Flemington trackwork. James McDonald retains the ride and the long Flemington straight should give him ample opportunity to allow the mare to build through her gears. She is a commanding $1.28 favourite and it is difficult to make a convincing case against her.

Buckaroo is one of the more interesting challengers after finishing runner-up in the Crystal Mile (1600m) at Flemington on Cox Plate Day. The Chris Waller-trained galloper produced a strong finishing effort but was unable to reel in Surfing Bird, while Another Wil finished third in the same race after settling handy and sticking on well. Both horses are rock-hard fit and have the advantage of recent experience at Flemington.

Lindermann and Tom Kitten bring the Craven Plate (1800m) form into the race after fighting out the finish at Randwick. Lindermann returned to winning form on that occasion and will look to make his presence felt from barrier three, while Tom Kitten comes into this fifth-up and drops back to the 1600m. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained galloper has a strong record when deep into his preparations and has Mark Zahra aboard, but both will need to produce something special to trouble the favourite.

Sepals is capable of better than his recent effort in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m), while Within The Law had little go right when finishing 14th in the Golden Eagle (1500m) last weekend. Pounding and El Soleado face a significant class test, and the race appears to revolve around whether any of Autumn Glow's rivals can get close enough to challenge her.

The Champions Mile is Race 7 on the programme at Flemington and is sandwiched in between the Champions Sprint and the Champions Stakes.

Lindermann looks the likely leader from barrier three and should be able to control the early stages without a great deal of pressure. Autumn Glow, Sepals and Another Wil are expected to settle handy, while Buckaroo and Tom Kitten may be ridden a little quieter from their respective barriers.

There does not appear to be an abundance of genuine early speed, which could make the race develop into a tactical affair. That should suit Autumn Glow, who has demonstrated the ability to settle close to the speed before producing a devastating turn of foot. Lindermann might be able to dictate terms in front, but McDonald should have Autumn Glow within striking distance throughout. Buckaroo will be looking to build momentum from further back and run into the placings.

Autumn Glow looks close to unbeatable in the Champions Mile (1600m), but with the Chris Waller-trained mare at $1.28, the exacta with stablemate Buckaroo appeals as a better betting option. Autumn Glow has won 14 of her 15 career starts and has produced outstanding performances in all three runs this preparation, including her most recent victory in the King Charles III Stakes (1600m), when recording benchmark figures more than 10 lengths faster than standard. Her only defeat came when fourth-up over the 2000m in the autumn, but even then she produced a performance approximately 14 lengths faster than standard. She has shown tremendous versatility and the long Flemington straight should play to her strengths. Buckaroo looks the logical horse to chase her home after finishing runner-up in the Crystal Mile (1600m) at Flemington, where he recorded figures nearly 9.7 lengths faster than standard and produced the fastest final 200m of the race. The seven-year-old is rock-hard fit and has the advantage of recent experience at the track, while the 1600m looks suitable. Lindermann and Tom Kitten have strong recent form, but Buckaroo should be able to finish over the top of those runners and chase home his stablemate.