The Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) is one of three massive Group 1’s sharing top billing at Flemington on Saturday afternoon, with a quality field of 12 accepted for the $3 million feature.
The Chris Waller-trained Via Sistina holds the call with horse racing bookmakers as an almost unbackable $1.65 favourite for the event, and it’s easy to see why, after demolishing her rivals in track record time at Moonee Valley in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 26.
James McDonald takes the reins once again and should get the ideal run in transit after securing barrier four on Wednesday morning.
It means McDonald will give up the ride aboard stable companion Atishu, who is firm on the second line of betting at $8.00 with Marantelli Bet after claiming an eye-catching victory in the Group 1 Empire Rose (1600m) last Saturday.
Jye McNeil is the beneficiary of the vacancy and will be legged aboard from barrier one as the daughter of Savabeel attempts to go back-to-back in the Champions Stakes after proving victorious 12 months ago.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight will make his long-awaited return to racing on Saturday, with over a year off the scene due to injury.
Mark Zahra will be reunited with the Teofilo gelding, and despite the lengthy absence, he hasn’t been missed in the market, with $11.00 available with Playup.
Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Duke De Sessa ($15.00) will come back in trip in search of back-to-back wins, while the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Eliyass ($12.00) will be looking to turn the tables after being unable to stay the 2400m.
The Harry Eustace-trained Docklands ($13.00) will have his second start in Australia after proving no match for Via Sistina, while the in form mare Deny Knowledge ($23.00) will be looking to replicate her performance two starts back, leading all the way in the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m).
The Champions Stakes is the penultimate race of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and is scheduled to get underway at 5:10pm local time.
2024 VRC Champions Stakes Final Field
1. Without A Fight (10)
- T: Anthony & Sam Freedman
- J: Mark Zahra
- W: 59kg
- F: x116x
- Age: 8YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Teofilo (IRE)
- Dam: Khor Sheed (GB)
+140
2. Duke De Sessa (5)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Harry Coffey
- W: 59kg
- F: 14425
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Lope de Vega (IRE)
- Dam: Dark Crusader (IRE)
+230
3. Arapaho (11)
- T: Bjorn Baker
- J: Ben Melham
- W: 59kg
- F: 40×57
- Age: 8YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Lope de Vega (IRE)
- Dam: Alzubra (GB)
+725
4. Nugget (8)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 59kg
- F: 308×7
- Age: 8YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Siyouni (FR)
- Dam: Gemstone (IRE)
+650
5. Future History (6)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Dylan Browne McMonagle
- W: 59kg
- F: 1023x
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Showcasing (GB)
- Dam: Likelihood (USA)
+800
6. Eliyass (2)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Nash Rawiller
- W: 59kg
- F: 7311x
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Le Havre (IRE)
- Dam: Edilisa (IRE)
+163
7. Docklands (7)
- T: Harry Eustace
- J: Declan Bates
- W: 59kg
- F: 5×722
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Massaat (IRE)
- Dam: Icky Woo (GB)
+240
8. Royal Champion (9)
- T: Anthony & Sam Freedman
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 59kg
- F: 26x2x
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Shamardal (USA)
- Dam: Emirates Queen (GB)
+260
9. Kingswood (3)
- T: Gavin Bedggood
- J: John Allen
- W: 59kg
- F: 11×59
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Grey
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Roaring Lion (USA)
- Dam: All At Sea (GB)
+1900
10. Via Sistina (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: James McDonald
- W: 59kg
- F: 1151x
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Fastnet Rock
- Dam: Nigh (IRE)
+525
11. Atishu (1)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jye McNeil
- W: 57kg
- F: 13669
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Savabeel
- Dam: Posy (NZ)
-1000
12. Deny Knowledge (12)
- T: Anthony & Sam Freedman
- J: Damian Lane
- W: 57kg
- F: 515×1
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Pride of Dubai
- Dam: The Paris Shrug (GB)
+350
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