The Group 1 Champions Mile is run over 1600 metres at Flemington Racecourse on the final Saturday of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The race has been moved around in the racing schedule in recent years and renamed from the Cantala Stakes and has returned to its original place in the schedule for 2022. Formerly a handicap race, the Champions Mile will be run under weight for age conditions from 2022 onwards.
The Cantala Stakes 2022 Saturday 5th November with total prize money of $3,000,000.
Recent Cantala Stakes Winners
Hall of fame trainer Chris Waller has enjoyed great success in recent years, preparing four winners, as well as a number of minor placegetters. Star jockeys Craig Williams, Damien Oliver and Hugh Bowman are the most successful current-day Cantala Stakes jockeys with two wins each.
There are a number of top-quality Group 1 races that can be used as a lead-up to the Champions Mile. They include the Makybe Diva Stakes, Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and the Toorak Handicap for Melbourne-based runners, while the Epsom Handicap is the final lead-in for Sydney-based runners. It will be interesting to see if the change from handicap conditions to weight for age makes any difference to the build-up of the future winners.
Male horses have dominated the race with only three mares winning in the last 20 years. The wide-open spaces of the Flemington straight provide all horses with an ample opportunity to show their talents and for that reason, the race is keenly contested with a number of close finishes. Will this trend continue?
Favourites in the Cantala Stakes
As a handicap race, the Cantala Stakes has proven a tough race for punters. There has only been one favourite salute in the last 11 years, and that was the Waller-prepared BOBAN at relatively juicy odds of $4.50. Group 1 races run over 1600m under handicap conditions and are amongst the most open races in Australia. The weight differential between the proven performers and the up-and-coming stars makes it difficult for punters and the Cantala Stakes has been no exception.
From 2022 onwards, the Cantala Stakes will now be known as the Champions Mile and the race will be run under weight for age conditions, which is racing in its purest form. The best horses carry a weight dependent on their age and sex leading to the best horses prevailing. This change is sure to stimulate betting and will make it easier for bettors to find the winner.
Keys to finding the winner in the Cantala Stakes
Doing research and analysis are the keys to finding the winner of the Champions Mile. With its large prize money and scheduled at the end of the Melbourne Cup Carnival week, the race is sure to attract an outstanding field of local and international horses.
Put simply, the best horses win 1600m races at weight for age. Find the horse in the best form and with a good barrier draw and start with them. Male horses have dominated the race and this trend is likely to continue into the future. Once you have made your choice you will need to find a bookie. Palmerbet is a third-generation Australian bookie who offers a number of betting markets for the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. The Palmerbet blog has all the latest online sports odds with pre-post and exotic betting also available. Download their app and begin betting today.