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Champions Mile Tips - Runner-by-Runner Guide for the Spring Carnival Group 1
- The Champions Mile is run over 1600m at Flemington
- Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni are among the top contenders for this year's event
- Pride Of Jenni stands as the top selection, followed by Mr Brightside and Another Wil
Expired
Mr Brightside and Pride of Jenni (Getty Images)
Also known as the Cantala Stakes, the Champions Mile is run over 1600m at Flemington for horses aged three years and older under weight-for-age conditions.
The Group 1 event was first run in 1881 and has been won by some champion horses including Gunsynd (1971), Better Loosen Up (1989) and Alligator Blood (2022).
A great field has accepted for this year’s edition and we’ve offered our thoughts on every runner below.
1. Mr Brightside (4)
Couldn’t chase down Deny Knowledge in the Caulfield Stakes but still produced his excellent turn of foot.
Via Sistina was simply too good in the Cox Plate but he still managed to run fourth and love the fact he steps back in distance to 1600m where he has missed a place just three times in 19 career starts.
2. My Oberon (6)
Came from barrier 20 in the Epsom Handicap to finish sixth and was only beaten a length behind Ceolwulf in the 7+ Stakes.
He’s arguably in career best form at the moment and has drawn to get a nice run in transit not far from the speed.
3. Pinstriped (8)
Beat Mr Brightside first up at Caulfield over 1400m proving he is capable of a high rating performance on his day.
He’s won twice here at Flemington but there are many classy horses in this event so I couldn’t have him.
4. Antino (12)
Finished behind Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni in two consecutive races but franked the form by taking out the Group 1 Toorak Handicap thanks to an excellent ride by Blake Shinn.
Has to go up against the other two again in this and I just think they have his measure.
5. Desert Lightning (11)
Races really well this campaign and was rewarded for his consistency two back at Sandown with a good win over 1500m.
The barrier shouldn’t matter as he’ll go forward anyway and there has been a distinct on pace bias at Flemington all throughout the week.
6. Another Wil (2)
This may be the most progressive horse in the country and he continues to step up to the challenge when going up in grade.
He’s won three from four this campaign so far including a dominant win here at Flemington last start and six of his eight career wins have been on a good surface.
7. New Energy (3)
Going better than his form on paper suggests but he does have just the single win from 17 career starts.
First time at Flemington but he does seem over the odds at $100.
8. Von Hauke (1)
Was well beaten in his first two starts this campaign at a much easier grade but bounced back with a nice effort at The Valley to be beaten just over a length.
This is much tougher.
9. Pride Of Jenni (7)
Tony Ottobre has sacked long time jockey Declan Bates for this event which makes me think he didn’t ride to instructions in the Cox Plate.
She was never going to win that race when she hurtled along at breakneck speed and I think Ben Melham can set a better tempo.
Always tough to get a gauge on how she will perform because it is so dependant on what happens in the run but we are getting a nice price to find out.
10. Fangirl (9)
There is no doubting this mares record but she does seem to struggle when she gets out in her campaign and faces the tougher opponents.
Incredibly disappointing in the 7+ Stakes and her racing pattern makes it tough to win considering she has to make up so much ground late.
11. Amelia’s Jewel (10)
Her overall record is pretty good when you sit back and take a look but if she was going to win a Group 1 it was last week against her own sex.
I just don’t believe she is up to this level of competition against the best 1600m horses in the country.
12. Stefi Magnetica (5)
The 2024 Stradbroke Handicap winner has been racing well without winning this campaign and she made up plenty of ground late in both The Everest and Golden Eagle.
I’m unsure she will run out a strong 1600m and she’s already had two grand finals this prep.
13. Broadsiding (13)
Was a victim of the on pace pattern at Caulfield in the Guineas and then ran terrific in the Cox Plate in a race he was never winning with Via Sistina’s performance.
You love to see a three-year-old stepping up against the older horses but he meets a few of these worse off at the weights for last start.
Verdict
1st: No. 9 Pride Of Jenni
2nd: No. 1 Mr Brightside
3rd: No. 6 Another Wil
4th: No. 10 Fangirl
2nd: No. 1 Mr Brightside
3rd: No. 6 Another Wil
4th: No. 10 Fangirl
Pride Of Jenni
Win
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