The Champions Mile – officially named (and previously known as) the Cantala Stakes – is a Group 1 feature race now held on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington. The race is run over 1600 metres as a quality handicap, with current prizemoney of $3 million.
Champions Mile 2022: Pro punter preview
Track It’s raced quite well so far this week. The rail will go out again to cover the wear on the inside and they’ll get out a bit further if they need to. It’s very similar to how it plays most years.
Speed The speed is from Tuvalu and Alligator Blood here. Private Eye will sit just off them. My Oberon goes back and Cascadian is wide, so JMac will have to decide whether to go forward or back.
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Champions Mile: Runner-by-runner
Prices courtesy of TopSport at time of publication.
2 Private Eye [$3.30] is in career-best form. He’s won at the mile before and gets a good run on the map. He deserves to be clear favourite.
9 My Oberon [$4.20] was impressive winning on his Australian debut at Moonee Valley. He looked big in condition there so should improve here. He’s entitled to be second pick.
3 Cascadian [$4.40] is racing well, though the wide barrier here is a slight concern. He’s a chance but looks too short for me.
4 Alligator Blood [$6.50] is racing well and comes out of the Cox Plate and back to a more suitable trip. He races on the pace and is a decent chance.
5 Mr Brightside [$10] is another one better suited back to the mile. He lacks the class of others here but is a chance at double-figure odds.
8 Tuvalu [$10] comes here off winning the Toorak. He races on the pace, is a consistent horse and is a chance at double figures.
7 Aegon [$26] rated okay winning last start at Caulfield, but this is a different class. He maps to get back and is entitled to be long odds.
I don’t think the rest are good enough to win this: 10 Kiss Sum [$51], 1 Kolding [$71], 6 Dalasan [$81], 11 Sinawann [$101].
Champions Mile: Betting strategy
Best bet Private Eye
Happy with the favourite here and actually think he should be shorter. He’s a definite bet for me.
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