The Champions Mile has undergone a transformation that just may give Godolphin galloper Cascadian his chance to finally win a feature Group 1 1600m race at Flemington.
Previously a handicap and known as the Cantala Stakes and run on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the race has been rebadged as the Champions Mile, shifted to the final day of the Carnival and run under weight-for-age conditions.
Cascadian has competed in the past three editions of the Cantala Stakes, finishing third, second and third respectively, the latest with 57.5kg.
With four wins since last year’s placing and a win at Group 1 level in the All Aged Stakes (1400m), Cascadian may have been ruled out of Saturday’s Champions Mile had it stayed a handicap due to his 114 handicap rating.
But with the change to weight-for-age, trainer James Cummings said the race was made to order for Cascadian.
“This year it’s been changed from a handicap to weight-for-age and it’s assembled a cracking field,” Cummings said.
“There’s great depth and interest, it’s probably only lacking a three-year-old in the race to give it some extra appeal.
“Now at weight-for-age it’s tailor-made for Cascadian because he’s already a Doncaster winner and an All Aged Stakes winner.
“He’s got that high rating that would scare me off running him in the race if it was a handicap.
“Now he’s meeting these horses at set weights, he’s flying.”
Cummings said Cascadian enters Saturday’s race in almost career best form.
After starting his campaign in Melbourne in two Group 1 contests, Cascadian returned to Sydney to claim the Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) and the Group 3 Craven Plate, both at Randwick.
“He’s had two really strong wins in Sydney in a row and he’s got the form from early in his prep around I’m Thunderstruck,” Cummings said.
“A win on Saturday, that would be gold for Cascadian.”
