Champions Stakes 2023 Race Details
Race 8 at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday the 11th November 2023.
The Champions Stakes (previously called the Mackinnon Stakes) is a 2000 metre weight-for-age race held in November each year at Flemington during the Spring Racing Carnival. Until 2015 it was held on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup but in 2016 was moved to the Saturday after.
You can read more about the race history, lead-up races, and past winners on the Champions Stakes page.
Champions Stakes 2023 Preview
Track: Good Weather: Fine
Eleven runners have accepted for the Group 1 Champions Stakes. The current favourite is West Wind Blows who is having his third and final Australian start. He was terrific running second in both the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup and gets his chance to win a big Group 1 here. Zaaki has won this race the last two years and has been best backed to beat him.
Champions Stakes 2023 Runner by Runner
1. Zaaki
Has won this race the last two years. Maps to sit outside West Wind Blows and control this coming off running sixth in the Cox Plate. Not surprised to see him well backed.
2. Huetor
Was okay in a weaker race last start at Randwick. Has a good third up record but is not for me.
3. Young Werther
Freshened. Likes the course and distance and has drawn well. Place hope.
4. West Wind Blows
European who has lost no admirers in defeat with two big runs in the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup. I think he is clearly the one to beat. My only slight concern is the inside going late on day four.
5. Zeyrek
Randwick winner last start over 1800m. This is tougher.
6. Pinstriped
Was well beaten in the Cox Plate after starting big odds. Prefer others.
7. Buckaroo
Joseph O’Brien runner who was seventh in the King Charles. Strips fitter here with Blake Shinn from a nice alley.
8. Montefilia
Cracking win two back in the Hill Stakes, then well beaten in the Caulfield Cup. I like her back to 2000m here.
9. Duais
Had been getting back and flying home all prep, then settled closer in the Cox Plate and never saw daylight. Will need a good ride from the inside draw but if Oli can do it, she is good enough to make it a fairy tale finish in his final Victorian Group 1.
10. Atishu
Was a dominant winner of the Group 2 Matriarch on the quick back up on this day last year. They try the same formula again this year after she flew for second in the Empire Rose last Saturday but this time they tackle the boys at Group 1 level. In the mix.
11. Prowess
Kiwi mare who has won eight of eleven starts. Won the Crystal Mile at the Valley last start. There has been plenty of talk about her being under done this prep and doing it all on raw ability. Fitter again here third up.
Champions Stakes 2023 Tips
The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.
|
Lewis Oliver’s Tips
|
Jo Jackson’s Tips | |
| 4 West Wind Blows | 4 West Wind Blows | |
| 1 Zaaki | 11 Prowess | |
| 8 Montefillia | 1 Zaaki | |
| 7 Buckaroo | 10 Atishu |
Previews for other races this week
Group 1 Champions Mile 2023 (Flemington 1600m)
Group 1 Champions Sprint 2023 (Flemington 1200m)
Group 2 Matriarch Stakes 2023 (Flemington 2000m)
Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2023 (Flemington 2600m)
Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes 2023 (Ascot 1400m)
Listed Fairetha Stakes 2023 (Ascot 1400m)
Listed Luckygray Stakes 2023 (Ascot 1800m)
Listed Keith Noud Quality Handicap 2023 (Doomben 1200m)
The Five Diamonds 2023 (Rosehill 1800m)
Golden Gift 2023 (Rosehill 1800m)
Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes 2023 (Rosehill 1400m)
Champions Stakes 2023 Race Results
| Result | Horse | Margin |
| 1st | 10 Atishu | |
| 2nd | 9 Duais | 1.75 lengths |
| 3rd | 3 Young Werther | 1.95 lengths |
| 4th | 1 Zaaki | 2.05 lengths |
The track was rated as Good.
There were no scratchings.