Champions Rise Again: Half Yours Delivers Cup Glory as We Look to End Spring in Style
After landing 5 winners from 10 races on Melbourne Cup Day, including the biggest of them all with Half Yours ($7.50) completing a famous victory in the $8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup, we charge into Champions Day — the grand finale of the Flemington Carnival.
Featuring Giga Kick, Mr Brightside, Via Sistina, and Pride Of Jenni across a blockbuster Group 1 card, the stars are out for one last spring showdown. From the Champions Sprint to the Champions Stakes, it’s the ultimate day where reputations are made — and punters look to finish Cup Week on a high.
🏇 Flemington Race 1 — Inglis Banner (1000m)
📝 Race Overview:
A sharp sprint to kick off Champions Day, with several promising two-year-olds stepping out early in their careers. The speed map looks moderate, and any runner with early tactical speed will hold a major advantage down the Flemington straight. Expect a bit of guesswork with the debutants, but a few have shown strong ability at the jumpouts.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
ANGELIC RISE (Odds: $3.90)
⚡ “Looked professional and speedy when leading throughout in her latest trial. From a smart stable that knows how to prepare them for debut success — could easily roll forward and prove hard to run down.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
STREISAND (Odds: $6.25)
💥 “Hard to fault her debut effort when sticking on gamely behind Slick Challenger in the Maribyrnong Trial. Brings proven straight-track experience, maps to settle just behind the pace, and should take plenty of holding out second-up.”
🏇 Flemington Race 2 — Ronald McDonald House Charities Mile (Bm84) (1600m)
📝 Race Overview:
An even field for the Charities Mile with several runners boasting strong second-up form and genuine mile credentials. Expect a genuine tempo with Liberami and Nation’s Call prominent early, while the likes of Sabaj and Jenni’s Meadow look to unleash late. The mix of fit on-pacers and quality closers should make for a tactical and tight finish.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
SABAJ (Odds: $2.60)
⚡ “Caught the eye flashing home from an impossible spot in the Silver Eagle first-up and looks ideally suited stepping to 1600m. Proven second-up performer and has the turn of foot to put this field away with clear running.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
JENNI’S MEADOW (Odds: $16.00)
💥 “Talented mare who was stakes-placed over 2000m last prep and should relish the mile second-up. Her late splits fresh were excellent, and from a better draw she’s more than capable of rolling over the top of them at value odds.”
🏇 Flemington Race 3 — Fisher Stakes (1200m)
📝 Race Overview:
A competitive sprint with genuine depth as proven Group performers and fresh challengers collide. Expect a solid tempo early with Big Swinger and Need Some Luck likely to push forward, while the likes of Vestas and Nadal will look to swoop late. Several trial well for this, and it shapes as one of the more open races on the card.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
BIG SWINGER (Odds: $4.60)
⚡ “Overcame trouble to win stylishly last start and looks to have come back stronger this prep. Trialled sharply leading in and maps to get the right run behind the speed — a proven fresh performer who could easily figure at a big price.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
VESTAS (Odds: $6.25)
💥 “Powerful closer who ran the quickest final 400m of the Northwood Plume and again charged home against the pattern in the McEwen. Loves the Flemington straight, and with a more genuine tempo she’ll be storming home over the top late.”
🏇 Flemington Race 4 — TAB Matriarch Stakes (2000m)
📝 Race Overview:
A strong edition of the Matriarch with proven mares and emerging stayers set to clash over the Flemington 2000m. Expect a tactical affair — Alalcance likely to roll forward, with She’s A Hustler and Sea What I See poised to stalk close behind. With several capable of producing a big finish, timing the run will be everything.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
SHE’S A HUSTLER (Odds: $2.60)
⚡ “Flying this prep with back-to-back wins at The Valley and Flemington. She’s thriving on confidence, handles all conditions, and gets another perfect setup to make it three straight. Hard to knock winning form.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
BON MISTRESS (Odds: $26.00)
💥 “Hit the line with the fastest sectionals of the meeting first-up and was luckless last start when wide throughout. Fitter now and stepping to 2000m looks ideal — sneaky knockout hope at double-figure odds.”
🏇 Flemington Race 5 — Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m)
📝 Race Overview:
A deep staying contest with genuine Group form and multiple Cup-week performers backing up for another crack. Expect a solid tempo with Sayedaty Sadaty and So You Are likely to roll forward, while Scary, Berkeley Square, and Interpretation stalk ready to pounce. With several proven over the trip, stamina and tactical positioning will be key.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
SCARY (Odds: $12.00)
⚡ “Ultra-consistent stayer who ran a cracker in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and continues to hold his form. Handles all conditions, stays all day, and looks to get every chance in running to land a deserved win.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
INTERPRETATION (Odds: $23.00)
💥 “Hit the line hard in the Bendigo Cup after finding traffic at key stages and meets Sayedaty Sadaty 2.5kg better. Blinkers have sharpened him right up, and he’s perfectly placed to turn the tables here — genuine winning hope at value.”
🏇 Flemington Race 6 — VRC Champions Sprint (1200m)
📝 Race Overview:
One of the elite sprint contests on the Australian calendar, the Champions Sprint brings together the country’s top short-course specialists. The pressure will be on from the jump, with Tropicus and Benedetta likely to ensure an honest tempo while the star closers — Giga Kick, Joliestar, and Tentyris — loom large late. Expect fireworks down the famous Flemington straight.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
TENTYRIS (Odds: $2.80)
⚡ “Outstanding in the Coolmore last week, producing elite closing splits to storm through late. Proven on the straight course, thriving with racing, and looks the most progressive of the new wave of sprinters.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
GIGA KICK (Odds: $5.00)
💥 “Hit the line hard in the Bendigo Cup after finding traffic at key stages and meets Sayedaty Sadaty 2.5kg better. Blinkers have sharpened him right up, and he’s perfectly placed to turn the tables here — genuine winning hope at value.”
🏇 Flemington Race 7 — Lexus Champions Mile (1600m)
📝 Race Overview:
A genuine heavyweight clash between Australia’s elite milers. Mr Brightside headlines the field looking to add another Group 1 to his glittering record, while Pride Of Jenni, fresh off her stunning all-the-way Empire Rose win, looks to prove lightning can strike twice. Throw in Cox Plate placegetter Treasurethe Moment and the rapidly improving Leica Lucy — this year’s Champions Mile is loaded with storylines.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
MR BRIGHTSIDE (Odds: $4.20)
⚡ “The warrior of the mile division. He fought bravely in the King Charles despite conditions against him and returns to Flemington, where he’s so often at his best. Proven class, rock-hard fit, and maps for the perfect stalking run — the one to beat.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
LEICA LUCY (Odds: $8.50)
💥 “Flying under the radar but ready to strike. She’s been excellent chasing fast tempos all spring and now draws for the soft run she’s been craving. The 1600m suits perfectly, and if the big names leave the chase too late, she can ambush them at a price.”
🏇 Flemington Race 8 — TAB Champions Stakes (2000m)
📝 Race Overview:
The grand finale of Champions Day brings together an all-star cast of middle-distance performers, headlined by the mighty Via Sistina, fresh off her epic Cox Plate triumph. Several familiar foes line up again — Tom Kitten looking for revenge, Golden Path stepping up to his ideal trip, and Point King ready to give the Europeans something to think about. Expect a true staying test to end Cup Week in style.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
VIA SISTINA (Odds: $1.70)
⚡ “The Cox Plate heroine has been simply dominant this spring, proving her class in every major race. The 2000m is perfect, and with even tempo expected, she can round out a historic campaign with another Group 1 victory.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
POINT KING (Odds: $34.00)
💥 “First-up effort was better than it looked and now gets his preferred trip and barrier. The stable has targeted this race, and with improvement to come second-up, he could easily surprise at double-figure odds.”
🏇 Flemington Race 9 — HKJC World Pool Grand (Bm80)
📝 Race Overview:
A tricky finale to the Champions Day card with plenty of speed drawn across the track. Expect Grand Larceny and Stoli Bolli to be right up on the pace, while closers like Sweethearted and Balastier will be charging late. Straight-track experience is a big plus, and several of these look capable of finishing their spring campaigns on a high.
🔥 Best to Back Tip:
STOLI BOLLI (Odds: $3.00)
⚡ “Ultra-consistent type who’s hit the frame in all five runs this prep and handles the straight track well. Draws to get a nice run just off the pace and looks the each-way standout in a wide-open sprint.”
💎 Best Value Bet:
SWEETHEARTED (Odds: $8.50)
💥 “Returned with a strong run at Caulfield from a wide gate and boasts an excellent record second-up. Proven down the straight and armed with a sharp turn of foot — looks set to finish over the top if the leaders overdo it.”
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