The verdict: Doubt Bella Nipotina at your own peril. Every time you find a reason not to select her, she comes out and wins. She has not missed a place in her past eight starts.
Race seven: $3m group 1 Champions Mile (1600m), 4.30pm
The favourite: Punters have obviously forgiven Pride Of Jenni’s taxing run in the Cox Plate as she heads the betting markets. They are obviously expecting her to bounce back over 1600m at Flemington, and are not phased by the change of jockey from Declan Bates to Ben Melham.
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The threats: Pride Of Jenni’s arch rival Mr Brightside ran a bottler in the Cox Plate for fourth, and is a better horse over 1600m. Three-year-old colt Broadsiding ran third in the Cox Plate but will have to lug an extra 2.5kg here. Antino ran out of his skin to win the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield. My Oberon finished third behind Ceolwulf in the King Charles Stakes, while Fangirl is one of the best milers in the country.
Selections: 1. Mr Brightside, 2. Fangirl, 3. My Oberon, 4. Pride Of Jenni
The verdict: There are a few form lines to consider, but Mr Brightside was strong in the Cox Plate. He has a weight swing over Broadsiding, holds an advantage over Fangirl in Melbourne, and it looks like Pride Of Jenni might not be at her absolute best.
Race eight: $3m group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m), 5.10pm
The favourite: Via Sistina romped in the Cox Plate by eight lengths to stamp herself as the best weight-for-age middle distance horse in the country.
The threats: Atishu finished strongly to win the group 1 Empire Rose on Derby Day and won this race last year. Frontrunner Deny Knowledge won the group 1 Caulfield Stakes two starts back, and import Docklands will be better for the run after finishing fifth in the Cox Plate. Eliyass will be better suited back to 2000m, after finishing seventh in the Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Atishu is back at Flemington to defend her Champions Stakes crown.Credit: Getty Images
Selections: 1. Via Sistina, 2. Atishu, 3. Deny Knowledge, 4. Docklands
The verdict: If her Cox Plate blitz is anything to go by, one of Via Sistina’s legs would have to fall off for her to be beaten here.
Russell’s best bet: Kinesiology (Race 3, No.7) – Chris Waller import having his first run in Australia in preparation for next year’s Melbourne Cup. On UK form, should be winning.
Russell’s roughie: Quickster (Race 5, No.6) – In an open race, Quickster looks ready to peak third-up. Should get an economical run from gate two.
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