Group 1 Champions Mile attracts star-studded field

Toorak Handicap winner, Antino. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli

The Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) draws together an outstanding field of 13, with nine previous Group 1 winners set to step out in the $3 million feature at Flemington on Saturday afternoon.

Five horses can’t be split at the top of the market; however, horse racing bookmakers have installed the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) winner Antino as the $5.00 favourite for the event, allowing punters to dictate any moves in early betting.

The seven-time Group 1 winning gelding Mr Brightside is on the second line of betting at $5.50 and should appreciate stepping back to his favourite course and distance after running into superstar mare Via Sistina in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) last time out.

Craig Williams will continue his association with the Lindsay Park-trained seven-year-old and gets the gun run from barrier four.

The Chris Waller-trained Fangirl ($6.00) makes the trip to Melbourne after a disappointing effort in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on October 19, with James McDonald booked to the reins from gate nine.

Pride Of Jenni ($6.00) will have a new rider in the form of Ben Melham, with connections making the decision to remove Declan Bates after the last start failure in the Cox Plate.

Bates has picked up the ride aboard progressive stable companion Another Wil ($10.00), however, seeking back-to-back wins after an emotional victory in last Saturday’s Group 2 Damien Oliver (1400m).

Godolphin will send around star three-year-old Broadsiding ($6.00) after avoiding the Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) last Saturday, with Michael Dee picking up the ride for the suspended Jamie Kah.

The chances don’t end there, with luckless Golden Eagle (1500m) contender Stefi Magnetica ($16.00) on the one-week backup, while the likes of Amelia’s Jewel ($15.00), My Oberon ($23.00) and Pinstriped ($34.00) all having claims at monster odds with Playup.

The 2024 Champions Mile is race eight on the Flemington program and is scheduled to get underway at 4:30pm local time.