VRC Champions Mile Race Information
The VRC Champions Mile is held at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
- Race Type: Group 1
- Distance: 1600 metres
- Conditions: Open handicap, 3YO & upwards
- Track: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria
- Prizemoney: $3,000,000
- Date: Saturday 9 November 2024
VRC Champions Mile Race History
The ‘Stakes’ were first run in 1881 and form a perfect conclusion to the Melbourne Cup lead-up. The feature race of the day is the Group 1 Victoria Derby, a three-year-old weight-for-age run over 2500m which offers over $2,000,000 in prize money.
The Emirates Stakes was moved from the final day of the Melbourne Cup Spring Racing Carnival at Flemington to Victoria Derby Day in 2016 and was changed back to its older name of the Cantala Stakes. In 2017 it was renamed the Kennedy Mile. In 2022 it was renamed the VRC Champions Mile.
Our Runner by Runner Previews
2024 Champions Mile Preview and results
2023 Champions Mile Preview and results
2022 Champions Mile Preview and results
2021 Cantala Stakes Preview and results
Useful Facts
Last mare to win: Shillelagh (2017)
Last 3YO to win: C&G – Skyjack (1974); Filly – Storm Queen (1966)
Multiple winners: Seascay (1994 & 1995); Heroic Stone (1965 & 1967); Aquanita (1960 & 1961); Amounis (1926 & 1929); Iolaire (1907 & 1908).
Fastest time (1600m): Scenic Peak (2002) 1:33:4
Interesting trivia: Longshots win quite often.
Previous winners of the VRC Champions Mile
Winners of past Cantala Stakes include horses that go on to win major spring races.
| Year | First | Second | Third |
| 2024 | Mr Brightside | Antino | Fangirl |
| 2023 | Pride Of Jenni | Mr Brightside | Alligator Blood |
| 2022 | Alligator Blood | Tuvalu | Mr Brightside |
| 2021 | Superstorm | Icebath | Cascadian |
| 2020 | Yulong Prince | Cascadian | Rock |
| 2019 | Fierce Impact | Fifty Stars | Cascadian |
| 2018 | Best Of Days (GB) | Le Romain | Peaceful State |
| 2017 | Shillelagh (NZ) | Tom Melbourne (IRE) | Wyndspelle (NZ) |
| 2016 | Le Romain | McCreery | Tivaci |
| 2015 | Turn Me Loose | Politeness | Rock Sturdy |
| 2014 | Hucklebuck | Lucky Hussler | The Cleaner |
| 2013 | Boban | Smokin’ Joey | Speediness |
| 2012 | Happy Trails | Fawkner | Secret Admirer |
| 2011 | Albert The Fat | King’s Rose | Secret Admirer |
| 2010 | Wall Street | Dao Dao | Chasm |
| 2009 | All American | So You Think | Gold Salute |
| 2008 | All Silent | Sea Battle | Mimi Lebrock |
| 2007 | Tears I Cry | Bird Dancer | Shinzig |
| 2006 | Divine Madonna | Niconero | Valedictum |
| 2005 | Valedictum | Infinite Grace | Shania Dane |
| 2004 | Sky Cuddle | Lad Of The Manor | Skewiff |
| 2003 | Titanic Jack | True Glo | Crawl |
| 2002 | Scenic Peak | Crawl | Excellerator |
| 2001 | Desert Eagle | Emission | La Bella Dama |
| 2000 | Testa Rossa | Weasel Will | Crawl |
From the archives:
2018 Cantala Stakes Preview & Tips:
Track: Good Weather: Fine
A full field of 16 runners plus 4 emergencies accepted for the $1,000,000 2018 Kennedy Mile (Cantala Stakes). Six of them had their last start in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes, four in the G1 Toorak and two in the G2 Crystal Mile. Six are trained by Chris Waller, four by Darren Weir and two by James Cummings. Following the early scratching of Crack Me Up, first emergency Best Of Days will get a run. The betting is fairly open with Land Of Plenty the early favourite after his win in the Toorak Handicap last outing. Second favourite is Hartnell who was 2nd in that race and meets the winner better at the weights. Third favourite is Cliff’s Edge who won the G2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley last start and only has 52kg here.
Le Romain won this race in 2016 and was 2nd to Winx in the George Main Stakes before 4th in The Everest. Best Of Days won the G3 Coongy Cup last outing while Peaceful State was 3rd in the G3 Moonga Stakes. Noire is the only mare in the race and with a record of 7 wins from 16 starts she is not without a chance. Iconoclasm has won his last 2 starts in lower grade races and drops 7kg here. All other runners are currently 15 to 1 or longer, including Tom Melbourne who was 2nd in this race last year.
The following are the top 4 selections from our tipster panel for this years race.
|
Jo’s Tips
|
||
| 1 Hartnell | ||
| 4 Land of Plenty | ||
| 11 Cliff’s Edge | ||
| 2 Le Romain |