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Will we see another defending change in the Champions Mile run at Flemington on Saturday.
Alligator Blood beat similar horses last year in the 2023 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
2023 Champions Mile Day: Nominations
2023 CHAMPIONS MILE - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Champions Mile (Cantala Stakes) is a Group 1 race now run under WFA conditions for milers at Flemington conducted by the Victoria Racing Club.
The Champions Mile (Cantala Stakes) is run over 1600m. It was first run in 1881 and was won by Courtenay.
In the early years the event was over 1800m but for over 100 years it has been over the mile.
The Cantala Stakes was a Principal Race until 1979 then Group 1.
The race is registered as the Cantala Stakes but has had many name changes over the years.
In a carnival switch, the 2016 version was moved from the final day to Derby day and swapped with the Mackinnon Stakes, designed to get Cox Plate horses to run in the 2000m race. It was changed back again in 2022 to be run on the last day.
Last mare to win the race before Shillelagh was Divine Madonna in 2006.
Horse's form lines entering this come from varies sources such as the Cox Plate, Crystal Mile, Epsom and Myer Classic.
Those to have won the race on multiple occasions include Seascay (1994/1995), Aquanita (1960/1961), Amounis (1926/1929) and Iolaire (1907/1908).
Lindsay Park won it five times in a row from 1992 to 1996.
Usually it is a very fast run race so wider barriers have not been a major issue. Gates 12/13/14 ran the trifecta in 2021.
Testa Rossa win with 59kg in 2000 is the biggest weight to win since Family of Man in 1978. Race is now WFA.
Plenty of roughies are competitive such as in 2007 when Tears I Cry ($101) beat Bird Dancer ($101) and Shinzig ($81).
Fierce Impact did the Toorak/Cantala double in 2019 which was the first time since Magari in 1982.
Yulong Prince's win in 2020 meant he had won G1s in both South Africa and Australia.
The Champions Mile (Cantala Stakes) was worth $3,000,000 in 2023.
Notable winners of the Champions Mile (Cantala Stakes) include Alligator Blood (2022), Fierce Impact (2019), Le Romain (2016), Boban (2013), Happy Trails (2012), All Silent (2008), Divine Madonna (2006), Testa Rossa (2000), Catalan Opening (1997), Primacy (1993), Planet Ruler (1992), Shaftesbury Avenue (1990), Better Loosen Up (1989), Family Of Man (1978), Maybe Mahal (1976), Taj Rossi (1973), Gunsynd (1971), Vain (1969), Storm Queen (1966), Wenona Girl (1963), Aquanita (1960/1961), Amounis (1926/1929) and Violoncello (1922).
The 2022 Champions Mile (Cantala Stakes) was won by Alligator Blood from Tuvalu and Mr Brightside.
