Pride Of Jenni tired late to finish second, while 100-1 shot Major Beel finished eight-lengths tenth.
Trainer Ciaron Maher said the rider change was an owner decision, but expected Pride Of Jenni to still be at the front of the field at some stage of Saturday’s group 1 event.
“She runs consistent fractions so you just need to get them right,” Maher said.
Bates took to social media to say he looked forward to continuing his relationship with the Ottobre family.
“It has been a huge privilege to ride Pride Of Jenni, and one of the greatest experiences of my riding career so far,” he posted on X. “She certainly is a once-in-a-lifetime horse. I wish her and Tony all the best for Saturday.”
Via Sistina back on track
Champions Day at Flemington will mark the return of Via Sistina after the record-breaking Cox Plate winner was withdrawn by connections from the Melbourne Cup.
Trainer Chris Waller’s decision to keep Via Sistina at the middle distance of the $3 million group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) means she will start a red-hot, odds-on favourite.
James McDonald and Via Sistina will run at Flemington on Saturday.Credit: Eddie Jim
Her closest rival in the market is group 1-winning stablemate Atishu, while last year’s Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup-winning star Without A Fight will have his first run in 12 months after sustaining a tendon injury.
There will be two big head-to-head clashes in Flemington’s other headline events – the $3 million Champion Sprint and $3 million Champions Mile.
Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni will renew hostilities in the 1600m group 1 race, while the first two home in the Everest – Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick – clash in the group 1 1200m sprint.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.