The second of the majors at Flemington this Saturday is the Champions Mile (1600m), where the field is elite.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Champions Mile.
2025 Champions Mile Runner Preview:
1. Mr Brightside: What a beauty he is. Tried his absolute guts out in the King Charles but had no answers for the finale of Ceolwulf. He’ll press forward, will give his all, he won the race last year…has to be respected.
2. Ceolwulf: I’m a believer again in Ceolwulf. That was arrogant what he did in the King Charles. Blinkers went on, he trucked up in behind them and just made an absolute mess of them late, getting better as the race went on. He’s in the groove again, he’ll eat up a hard mile…like him.
3. Pericles: He’s the sleeper because he was there to win the King Charles but I think he got there too soon and he can have a think about things, as seen the final 200m there. If he has a bunny to chase, he’s dangerous.
4. Lake Forest: Big improver I say. Track was a road in The Everest and he just didn’t fire a shot. More giving surface this time around and his absolute best is more than good enough to threaten.
5. Steparty: I reckon if they waited and went to The Hunter in Newcastle, he’d be a near good thing.
6. Von Hauke: Great ride in the Crystal Mile to score but not sure he is up to this level.
7. Pride Of Jenni: I’m a believer in Ceolwulf and I am also a believer in Pride Of Jenni. That was stunning what she did in the Empire Rose last Saturday. She made a mess of them from the front, leading all the way and gave nothing else a look in. Holds that form here, she’ll give an almighty sight.
8. Stefi Magnetica: Stefi Magnetica is very dangerous here. Had no right to win The Invitation last start at Randwick given the race shape and the way the track played but class came to the fore and she was outstanding. She is the one here with upside, fresh legs and will do no work. Very dangerous.
9. Treasurethe Moment: Love her, so brave in the Cox Plate…but was it an end of prep run for her? She’s short enough for mine with question marks on her.
10. Leica Lucy: Should be in the Matriarch or the Champions Stakes. She is wanting 2000m+ now so staying at the mile I hate and can’t have her at the price.
2025 Champions Mile $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Ceolwulf @ $6.5/$2.3
Group l Strategy Outlay: $2600
Group l Strategy Return: $2001
2025 Champions Mile Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Craig Williams | 9 | 59kg |
| 2 | CEOLWULF (NZ) | Joseph Pride | Chad Schofield | 7 | 59kg |
| 3 | PERICLES | Bjorn Baker | Ben Melham | 4 | 59kg |
| 4 | LAKE FOREST (GB) | William Haggas | Tom Marquand | 6 | 59kg |
| 5 | STEPARTY | Paul Preusker | Harry Coffey | 10 | 59kg |
| 6 | VON HAUKE (NZ) | Cliff Brown | Ethan Brown | 5 | 59kg |
| 7 | PRIDE OF JENNI | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 2 | 57kg |
| 8 | STEFI MAGNETICA | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 1 | 57kg |
| 9 | TREASURETHE MOMENT | Matt Laurie | Damian Lane | 3 | 57kg |
| 10 | LEICA LUCY (NZ) | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 8 | 57kg |
2025 Champions Mile Odds
2025 Champions Mile Speed Map
Pride Of Jenni…do we need to say more? But, I will say the rides in behind last Saturday were negative and I doubt they’ll let her get as far in front this time around. Depends who takes it up. Mr Brightside and Treasurethe Moment look the most likely.
