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Flemington Betting Tips for November 8, 2025 - Race-By-Race preview for Champions Stakes Day
Champions Stakes Day marks the finale of Melbourne Cup Week at Flemington with an exhilarating nine-race card. Featuring Australia's top talent, the event includes three Group 1 races: the Champions Sprint, Champions Mile, and Champions Stakes. The day promises competitive racing with a mix of seasoned performers and emerging prospects, ensuring a thrilling conclusion to a strong spring carnival for punters and racegoers alike. The day's program is filled with class and betting potential, rounding off the season with excitement and intrigue.
- Champions Stakes Day concludes Melbourne Cup Week at Flemington
- Saturday's card features three Group 1 races with top talent and promising prospects
- An exhilarating finale with competitive racing and betting value
Expired
Champions Day brings Melbourne Cup Week to a close on Saturday, with three Group 1 features and a stacked nine-race program at Flemington. (Getty)
Champions Stakes Day brings the curtain down on Melbourne Cup Week with a star-studded nine-race card at Flemington.
- Flemington Tips November 8
- Race 1 - 12:40 PM Inglis Banner (1000m)
- Race 2 - 1:15 PM Ronald McDonald House Charities Mile (1600m)
- Race 3 - 1:50 PM Fisher Stakes (1200m)
- Race 4 - 2:30 PM TAB Matriarch Stakes (2000m)
- Race 5 - 3:10 PM Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m)
- Race 6 - 3:50 PM VRC Champions Sprint (1200m)
- Race 7 - 4:30 PM Lexus Champions Mile (1600m)
- Race 8 - 5:10 PM TAB Champions Stakes (2000m)
- Race 9 - 5:50 PM HKJC World Pool Grand Handicap (1100m)
The meeting showcases Australia’s elite talent across three Group 1 features — the Champions Sprint, Champions Mile, and Champions Stakes — while the supporting program is stacked with depth from start to finish. Proven performers clash with emerging prospects in an even spread of fields that should deliver genuine tempo and competitive racing throughout the day.
It’s a fitting finale to one of the strongest spring carnivals in recent years, and punters are treated to a high-quality mix of class, intrigue, and betting value right across the program.
Flemington Tips November 8
Race 1 - 12:40 PM Inglis Banner (1000m)
The Inglis Banner used to be the opener on Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley, having its first running on Champions Stakes Day last year, which was won by Within The Law.
It’s no surprise the Hayes yard are well represented with four of the twelve acceptors, and the brothers prepared Bold Bastille (2023) and Arkansaw Kid (2022) to win this race.
The most fancied of their representatives is 7. Angelic Rise, who gets the services of an in-form Mark Zahra, who was aboard for both jump-outs. The daughter of Harry Angel has moved beautifully on the bridle, and she heads the market although early two-year-old races are always tricky.
9. Calamari Ring caught the eye when making ground at Cranbourne for a jump-out victory on October 20, which followed a quieter hit-out earlier that month. Ciaron Maher and Ethan Brown team up here, the same combination that struck on Tuesday with Maribyrnong Plate winner Tornado Valley.
5. Free Flying beat Tornado Valley home on debut at Caulfield, so there’s recent form around this juvenile. Respect the money for all of these, especially Queensland visitor 11. Sheza Boom, who hasn’t been sighted since an ice-cold trial in August and Craig Williams is an interesting engagement.
Selections: 7, 9, 5, 11.
Race 2 - 1:15 PM Ronald McDonald House Charities Mile (1600m)
2. Sabaj, a four-year-old who was scratched from the 1400m event on Melbourne Cup Day where he was set to start a clear favourite, heads the market here. It’s unclear why connections opted out given conditions weren’t overly wet, and while this is a 1600m option with rain around, he still looks the class runner if they choose to go.
The gelding showed above-average ability when prepared in Adelaide, winning his first three starts before rounding out last autumn with back-to-back stakes placings, including a Group 2 second behind Reserve Bank, who won the Group 1 Goodwood a fortnight later.
His stable debut in the Silver Eagle at Randwick was unlucky, and he should have finished a clear second behind Linebacker, a proven Group 1 galloper. Despite a few queries, Sabaj looks to have a class edge on this lot.
8. Jenni’s Meadow arrives second-up off a solid Caulfield return where not a lot went her way, and she was a notable drifter in betting. She may need this run, but the mare was Group 2 placed during the Brisbane carnival and Group 3 placed last spring, so there’s a touch of class there.
11. Nation’s Call got a much-deserved win at Moonee Valley on October 24 when ridden positively to lead, and while this is harder, outside Sabaj there’s little depth. 4. Wymark looked a progressive middle-distance type early in his career but never went on with it; now on stable debut for Gavin Bedggood, who excels with these tried gallopers. His recent Cranbourne jump-out was fair.
Selections: 2, 8, 11, 4.
Race 3 - 1:50 PM Fisher Stakes (1200m)
It’s a cracking edition of the Fisher Stakes (the name has changed each of the past three springs — most would know it as the MSS Security Sprint) — listed grade but deep with quality — and 15. Big Swinger heads a competitive early market in what is his biggest challenge yet.
He’s won four of six, and his lead-up work ahead of this resumption has been outstanding. His autumn campaign featured genuine excuses in a slowly run Sydney race as the only miss, and he overcame plenty of trouble to salute at Caulfield before a spell.
We’ve been with 14. Vestas through her first two runs this spring off strong jump-outs, and she should arguably have won first-up at a price when flashing home before doing the same again at Moonee Valley in the McEwen. Soft ground is a query, but race fitness and a 2.5kg pull are positives.
There’s a huge watch on 2. Nadal, whose return had been delayed due to several scratchings, so it’s fair to suspect there were minor setbacks. Even so, there’s improvement to come, and he arguably should’ve won this race last year before a huge Cranbourne victory.
6. Need Some Luck was a brave fresh winner last campaign at Randwick, didn’t quite go on with it but mostly held form, and the half-brother to Chautauqua has trialled well in Sydney twice ahead of this return. The chances don’t end there.
Selections: 15, 14, 2, 6.
Race 4 - 2:30 PM TAB Matriarch Stakes (2000m)
Grahame Begg and Jordan Childs landed a black-type win with 5. She’s A Hustler in the Group 3 Tesio Stakes at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day, where the daughter of Ace High was only second-up.
She re-opposes much of the same opposition here, and from that contest there’s little reason to think others can turn the tables. She’s built a consistent record with six wins and three seconds from nine starts, and she looks well placed to hold that form now stepping to 2000m.
The five-year-old also carried weight when winning a weaker race here first-up before a freshen, though the main query is a 3kg rise off her recent triumph.
Bringing a different form line is 1. Alalcance, who gets a tongue-tie and has been freshened since an unlucky Wyong Cup run in early September, where little went right in a muddling affair. Her subsequent trials looked workmanlike, but that’s typical of the Waterhouse & Bott yard, and her Sydney form from earlier in the year measures up strongly for this.
2. Real Class is slowly turning the corner after showing little for Chris Waller previously, improving with every run this prep and looking suited by the extra 200m off her Melbourne Cup Day effort. 11. Bon Mistress had a good clean-out run at Sandown first-up and excuses second-up at Caulfield, and she’s perhaps one for the exotics if chasing a bolter.
Selections: 5, 1, 2, 11.
Race 5 - 3:10 PM Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m)
Most of these like to take their turns in what shapes as a typically open staying affair, but one at longer odds worth thought is 9. Post Impressionist.
There were reasons for his Moonee Valley Gold Cup performance when he pulled up lame and EIPH was detected post-race. Before that, he was building okay with a competitive Group 2 Herbert Power run and a sixth placing in the Group 3 Archer Stakes over 2500m at Flemington.
He hasn’t saluted since a highly impressive Australian debut in the 2024 Manion Cup, but he has the class to be right in the mix, and you’re getting a price for the risk.
2. Berkeley Square comes right into calculations if the rain arrives, having improved sharply in the Geelong Cup on a Soft 7 after ticking over fairly beforehand. His Flemington record is sound, although he’s yet to win at this longer journey.
3. Sayedaty Sadaty failed in a brutally run Bart Cummings but was very consistent either side of that and bounced back with a Bendigo Cup win — albeit with all favours and a 4.5kg rise now — while a move at longer odds for 8. Hezashocka could come if it’s testing ground. He’s an out-and-out wet tracker and had some excuses in the Bendigo Cup.
Selections: 9, 2, 3, 8.
Race 6 - 3:50 PM VRC Champions Sprint (1200m)
10. Tentyris, the Godolphin youngster, was super impressive on Victoria Derby Day when producing a stylish victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes in fast time.
A three-year-old hasn’t won this race since 1999, but with no genuine superstars among the current older brigade, this looks the year to try. The main query is whether the rain arrives on race day, as he’s never seen wet ground, and with a colt now worth plenty, there’s little to gain in taking a risk if he doesn’t handle it.
Happy to trust the very astute Anthony and Sam Freedman yard if they persist.
1. Giga Kick returned to winning form first-up in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield, ending a drought that stretched back to the 2023 Doomben 10,000. That followed a long injury break, but he looked sharp in his comeback and appears close to his best. Proven up the Flemington straight and effective on rain-affected ground, he’s the benchmark sprinter if he recaptures anything near his three-year-old form.
5. Tropicus has contested two fast-run races this campaign, winning the first when leading throughout at Caulfield before chasing Giga Kick in the Schillaci Stakes after sharing a brutal tempo with Golden Boom and Sir Sway, who dropped out late. So the run had plenty of merit, and he’s since trialled well. He can give a sight with a softer run up front.
6. Joliestar was last seen finishing fifth in The Everest after a brilliant first-up win in The Shorts. Her most recent appearance up the Flemington straight came in March when she claimed the Newmarket Handicap with authority.
Selections: 10, 1, 5, 6.
Race 7 - 4:30 PM Lexus Champions Mile (1600m)
The most open of Saturday’s Group 1s is the Champions Mile, and a very competitive early market supports that view.
9. Treasurethe Moment could be suited dropping back to a fast-run mile after a brave Cox Plate third. She was softened up mid-race when Nepotism applied pressure, leaving her vulnerable late as Via Sistina and Buckaroo swept past. She still held a clear margin on the rest, and a return to Flemington — where she’s unbeaten from three starts — is a major positive. Already proven against open company with her brilliant Memsie Stakes win, she remains a key player.
2. Ceolwulf comes through the King Charles III Stakes, where he defeated Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni, and now makes his Melbourne debut. Joe Pride’s decision to add blinkers reignited his form, and the gelding again peaks third-up after similar timing last spring when claiming that same feature. Untried racing anti-clockwise, but Flemington’s spacious layout and strong tempo should suit perfectly.
1. Mr Brightside aims to defend his crown after winning the Makybe Diva Stakes and finishing second in the King Charles III, where he was easily the pick of the on-speed brigade. Versatile across all surfaces, he remains a model of consistency.
Front-runner 7. Pride Of Jenni completed the Empire Rose–Champions Mile double in 2023 and is chasing a fifth Group 1 victory.
Selections: 9, 2, 1, 7.
Race 8 - 5:10 PM TAB Champions Stakes (2000m)
10. Via Sistina brought up Group 1 win number eleven when bravely defending her Cox Plate title at Moonee Valley, and her spring will culminate in the Champions Stakes — another feature she is looking to defend.
Her 2000m record under Chris Waller is outstanding, with six wins and two placings from eight Australian attempts over the distance. Although she hasn’t been as dominant this campaign, Waller has suggested a peak performance is still to come, and she has met stronger opposition throughout the spring. She was clearly being prepared for her Cox Plate defence and looks ready to produce another top-level performance at Flemington.
1. Tom Kitten appears to be crying out for 2000m, and his third-up effort in the King Charles III Stakes reinforced that view. His spring prep was delayed after being withdrawn from the Memsie Stakes for playing up behind the barriers, then he found slowly-run races in both the Makybe Diva and Feehan. The fast tempo in Sydney last start should have brought him right on, and outside the favourite he shapes as the best weight-for-age option in the field.
11. Benagil produced a solid return at Flemington last week, hitting a flat spot mid-race before finding the line strongly through the final stages. After a tick-over jump-out, she was left chasing Pride Of Jenni second-up in the Empire Rose Stakes — a front-runner capable of breaking most rivals when in that mood. Backing up quickly, the Australasian Oaks winner should relish the rise to 2000m.
8. Point King looked very fresh at Moonee Valley, which was understandable given more than a year between runs, but he performed okay in a fast-run race and was well supported in betting. He’d been jumping out well beforehand and strips fitter for the hit-out. This is speculative at Group 1 weight-for-age level, but the same can be said for a lot of these and is perhaps worth including in exotics.
Selections: 10, 1, 11, 8.
Race 9 - 5:50 PM HKJC World Pool Grand Handicap (1100m)
The day rounds out with 11. Sweethearted, who looks a solid each-way chance second-up. The four-year-old resumed at Caulfield on Guineas Day and was unsuited there, settling back and wide before looming into it late when condition gave out.
He’s still very lightly raced with only eight starts, and after back-to-back wins last summer, little went right through the autumn. That campaign included a run where he produced the fastest last 400m of the meeting yet went unsuited by the inside bias on that Flemington program. The winner of that race, Alabama Lass, was Group 1 placed this spring, and all those autumn form lines suggest that this is well within reach.
6. Stoli Bolli heads the market having raced consistently but continues to frustrate punters, recording five consecutive placings this campaign without a win. He looked to have his chance as an odds-on favourite at Geelong but again found one better.
7. Codigo is a big price but worth keeping safe. He comes through a much weaker race at Pakenham fresh when running on well for second after being luckless early, and he was a straight-track winner here in March. 9. Yaldi also has claims after rattling home for the fastest final 200m of the Bendigo Cup meeting on October 29, though he staying at 1100m is a query.
Selections: 11, 6, 7, 9.
Verdict
Our best & value bets for Champions Stakes Day are:
Sabaj
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Tentyris
To Win
$2.70 - 3 Units
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Sweethearted
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$8.50 - 2 Units
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Post Impressionist
Each Way
$23.00 - 1 Unit
Use Easyform
The Ultimate Form Guide
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