2022 VRC Champions Stakes preview & tips | Saturday, November 5

The feature event on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is the Group 1 VRC Champions Stakes in what shapes to be very similar to what we saw in the Cox Plate a fortnight ago.

The quinella from that race, Anamoe ($2.20) and I’m Thunderstruck ($4.50), head the market with online bookmakers for the $3 million event, with Zaaki ($8.50) and Mo’unga ($11) the obvious dangers to the market-leading duo.

We expect Jamie Kah to use the barrier to her advantage aboard Zaaki and take up the running, like they did in the Cox Plate, with Hinged and the two three-year-old’s in the event Elliptical and Mr Maestro to be prominent upon settling alongside Anamoe. Look for the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr pair I’m Thunderstruck and Mo’unga to be towards the rear of the field before flashing home late in the 2000m event.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s preview and $100 betting tips for the 2022 Champions Stakes.

I’m Thunderstruck was arguably the run of the race in the Cox Plate having been boxed away close to last on the rail, before forcing his way through the field and eventually going down by under a half-length. With a clearer run, he might’ve been able to blouse Anamoe. He returns to Flemington, a track he has not finished outside of the top two from three runs and boasts a win second-up at the Flemington mile in the Makybe Diva Stakes. He has shown in his last two runs that he can see out the 2000m and considering he hasn’t been all that far away from Anamoe, he looks the smarter play at the price in the Champions Stakes.

Despite having I’m Thunderstruck on top, there is no knock on Anamoe. His grand final was always going to be the Cox Plate and we are happy to risk him in the VRC Champions Stakes, despite his undefeated campaign thus far. From barrier four, James McDonald will have in the one-one throughout much like he did in the Cox Plate and if he is lucky enough to do so, the tactical advantage over his main market rival might prove to be the difference. He has achieved everything he can on a racetrack so far and a win on his Flemington debut would cap off a truly remarkable 12 months for this Godolphin superstar.

If Mo’unga didn’t crab around the home corner in the Cox Plate, he arguably would have finished much closer than he did when beaten a touch over two-lengths and was no doubt hitting the line better than Zaaki. The one benefit Zaaki has in a race like this is that he should gain an uncontested lead throughout and if he can slip his rivals at the clock tower, he is sure to take some running down.

The 2022 VRC Champions Stakes shapes as one of the best races throughout the week and what a way to help round out such a successful Melbourne Cup Carnival.

2022 Champions Stakes selections & best bets

• 1

  I’M THUNDERSTRUCK

• 7

  ANAMOE

• 3

  MO’UNGA

• 2

  ZAAKI

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