Group 1 Gurus: Who to back on Champions Day & why?

This is one of the best days on the Australian racing calendar!

It is a celebration of the Cup Carnival, and is headlined by three absolutely stacked Group 1s – the Champions Sprint (1200m), Champions Mile (1600m) and Champions Stakes (2000m).

We will get to see the 2026 Everest winner, Tempted, fare the Flemington straight for the first time, while Autumn Glow will also make her Flemington debut.

The first Group 1 of the day is the Champions Sprint, worth $3 million, and was won by Giga Kick last year (2025), followed by Sunshine In Paris (2024), Imperatriz (2023), Roch ‘n’ Horse (2022), and Nature Strip (2021).

The second Group 1 of the day is the Champions Mile, also worth $3 million, and was won by Ceolwulf last year (2025), followed by Mr Brightside (2024), Pride Of Jenni (2023), Alligator Blood (2022), and Superstorm (2021).

And our final Group 1 of the day is the Champions Stakes, which concludes the Cup Carnival. Much like the other two Group 1s, this race is also worth $3 million, and was won by Via Sistina in 2025 and 2024, followed by Atishu (2023), and Zaaki (2022 and 2021).

Check out our tips and predictions for the three Group 1s at Flemington below!

Champions Stakes

Winner: BIRDMAN

Top 4: Birdman | Cosmic Crusader | Aeliana | Sir Delius

Why: It is so hard to tip against Cosmic Crusader, but I have a feeling Birdman will turn the tables on the WA gun. Birdman definitely has juice left in the tank, and was unlucky in the Cox Plate, being held up before finally letting down. At the price point, he presents huge value. Highly recommend.

Cosmic Crusader is the horse to beat. Two from two at the track/distance this prep against most of the same horses. Putting in a legendary campaign, and looks the best 2000m horse in the country. Only query is the fact that he will be eight-up - will he have any juice left in the tank?

Aeliana loomed to win the Cox Plate, but was overrun by Cosmic Crusader. Will be in the finish again here.

While Sir Delius has been disappointing this prep, he apparently has more upside in him according to co-trainer Adrian Bott. I doubt he wins, but he is a classy stallion.

Connor Scanlon

Winner: BIRDMAN

Top 4: Birdman | Cosmic Crusader | Treasurethe Moment | Aeliana

Why: I love Birdman and think this one is his to claim. Cosmic Crusader will always be able to claim the Cox Plate over the bird, but I think these two are closer together than the eventual margin of the Cox Plate would suggest given the interference Birdman encountered.

Treasurethe Moment is definitely still not the same horse she was before her colic back in the day, but two of her last three starts have rekindled some level of hope that she could put together a race-winning performance again. She still has a great record at the track (5:3-0-0) and is fine on good or soft going. Heavy is a question mark, however.

Aeliana ran very well and will be right in the mix, while I'm still taking on Sir Delius whom I think has either had enough of racing, or needs a refresh to get back to his best next prep.

Sabaj and Omni Man are the only other two I was considering for the top four multiples.

Ethan Clark

Winner: COSMIC CRUSADER

Top 4: Cosmic Crusader | Birdman | Aeliana | Omni Man

Why: The Cox Plate champ Cosmic Crusader is on top here.

Was with him in early in the campaign then jumped off as the races got harder. But he proved a lot of people wrong.

Hard to se why he isn’t favourite here.

You can probably back both Cosmic Crusader and Birdman who finished one-two in the Cox Plate. The latter has had a strong prep and can win.

Happy to risk Aeliana at the price but she should run well. Omni Man might be the knockout hope given his Point Of Law form.

Andrew Slevison

Champions Sprint

Winner: TEMPTED

Top 4: Tempted | Joliestar | Caballus | Giga Kick

Why: Tempted is Australia’s best sprinter, and is coming off a victory against the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising. Only thing that will beat her here is the Flemington straight.

Joliestar has a record of 1-1-1 from three sprints on the Flemington straight. Will be around the mark and will be the horse to knock Tempted off if she doesn’t handle the straight.

Caballus held his ground in the Everest. Doesn’t mind the straight either. Don’t think he can win but should run a race.

I can’t believe Giga Kick is such a huge roughie. Won this race last year. Place hope.

Connor Scanlon

Winner: HEADWALL

Top 4: Headwall | Tempted | Joliestar | Point Barrow

Why: Headwall was stride-for-stride with Ka Ying Rising in The Everest and won’t have the bend to worry about on the expanses of the Flemington straight where it has two second’s from two starts.

Ethan Brown in the saddle for the first time couldn’t be more perfect of a fit for a horse that just needs to find a backside for a bit of cover before angling to the outside and trying to go with Tempted.

I think he will be much closer to the Everest winner than he was that day and with a bit of luck can cause a boil over and claim the scalp it deserves.

Tempted goes without saying as the best horse in this race, but she could be slightly vulnerable up the straight where she has never been. Plus if she was peaked for the Everest then maybe the door is ajar for an upset here.

Joliestar is a love upset chance as well with JMac in the saddle and a great track/distance record (2:1-0-1). Should be right in the mix when push comes to shove.

Point Barrow will most likely be found wanting against these but deserves the chance to ply her trade and see how she stacks up against the world’s best. Seems to be going better than Giga Kick who would be my next selection.

Ethan Clark

Winner: TEMPTED

Top 4: Tempted | Joliestar | Headwall | Point Barrow

Why: Hard not to tip the Everest champion Tempted.

Looks the best sprinter in the land. Just has to handle the straight and she should be winning.

But if she were to be rolled, Joliestar seems the obvious. Has won at Flemington and goes well on all surfaces.

Headwall has been thereabouts all prep without winning. Always seems to find bad luck.

Point Barrow steps up in class, but has been dynamic this prep. A place chance at odds.

Andrew Slevison

Champions Mile

Winner: AUTUMN GLOW

Top 4: Autumn Glow | Buckaroo | Another Wil | Tom Kitten

Why: Not much needs to be said. Autumn Glow is the best horse in Australia and simply won’t lose at 1600m. Just enjoy the mare in Victoria!

Buckaroo isn’t a winner, but should be around the placings… Just not close to Autumn Glow.

Tom Kitten and Another Wil both good horses. Place hopes.

Lindermann hates Victoria’s way of going. Avoid.

Connor Scanlon

Winner: AUTUMN GLOW

Top 4: Autumn Glow | Another Wil | Within The Law | Tom Kitten

Why: Pretty self-explanatory this one. Autumn Glow should come down and brain these if she finds the wide expanses of Flemington appealing, which I’m sure she will. More value to be had here if you play the exotics or have a go at a couple the place.

Another Wil finished third behind Autumn Boy and Sheza Alibi three starts back, loves Flemington and has a great affiliation with Jamie Melham who has ridden the gelding to eight wins from 15 starts.

Within The Law was a complete forgive last start after getting cut off by a retreating Regal Award and the market has forgotten how good her run was the start before along the rails. She is a fantastic bet at $5.50 with Sportsbet to run a drum.

Tom Kitten is running truly and is worthy of trusting after two placing in Group 1 and 2 level racing the last two times out. I expect Autumn Glow to win by some margin, and I expect my attention to be locked on who rolls home for the minor placings.

Ethan Clark

Winner: AUTUMN GLOW

Top 4: Autumn Glow | Tom Kitten | Buckaroo | Lindermann

Why: Another hot favourite who should be winning.

Autumn Glow is the absolute class runner and only a complete disaster sees her beaten.

Tom Kitten goes well at the Flemington mile and can run on behind the star mare.

Buckaroo was solid last start and will be hooting home late.

Lindermann barely went a yard at Caulfield on his Melbourne leg. If he has overcome that mishap then he can be in it for a very long way.

Andrew Slevison

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