CHAMPIONS MILE | The G1 Blueprint
The Champions Mile has changed since it became a weight-for-age race in 2022. Every winner under the new conditions came off a Group 1 run, settled in the first four and was fifth, sixth or seventh-up. That’s a different profile from the old handicap, when horses could come from well back and win with a light weight.
CHAMPIONS MILE
Distance: 1600m
Class: Group 1
Age: 3YO+
Conditions: WFA
THE MAP IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE
Every winner under weight for age has settled fourth or closer. In the handicap era, only around 20% of winners were that handy.
PRIDE OF JENNI led, ALLIGATOR BLOOD sat second, and MR BRIGHTSIDE and CEOLWULF both settled fourth. The recent pattern points to a horse that can hold a position within striking distance.
TWO GROUP 1 PATHS
The Cox Plate has supplied half the winners under weight for age. MR BRIGHTSIDE came off a fourth and ALLIGATOR BLOOD a fifth. Both dropped from 2040m to 1600m and settled in the first four at Flemington.
The other route is a Group 1 mile win. PRIDE OF JENNI won the Empire Rose over the same course and distance, while CEOLWULF won the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick. Start with those two profiles: a competitive Cox Plate run or a last-start Group 1 mile win.
LOOK FOR A HORSE DEEP INTO ITS PREP
Every winner under the current conditions was fifth, sixth or seventh-up. All were aged five to seven, and 75% started at $10 or shorter. PRIDE OF JENNI was the exception at $13, and she brought a Group 1 win over the Flemington mile into the race.
THE BLUEPRINT
Start with a horse that maps to settle in the first four and comes off a Group 1 run. Give priority to a Cox Plate runner dropping back to the mile or a last-start Group 1 mile winner. Look for a horse aged five to seven, fifth to seventh-up and $10 or shorter.
2026 CHAMPIONS MILE (G1) – 1600M
1 0032 TOM KITTEN — Mark Zahra (6) $12
2 1821 LINDERMANN — Damian Lane (3) $11
3 5502 BUCKAROO — Ben Melham (7) $13
4 2X20 SEPALS — Ethan Brown (5) $17
5 2834 POUNDING — Luke Nolen (1) $81
6 9353 ANOTHER WIL — Jamie Melham (4) $23
7 00X8 EL SOLEADO — Blake Shinn (9) $151
8 X111 AUTUMN GLOW — James McDonald (2) $1.25
9 6X50 WITHIN THE LAW — Rachel King (8) $51
THE MAP
LINDERMANN looks the leader from gate three. AUTUMN GLOW can take the sit from gate two, with ANOTHER WIL close enough from gate four after settling third in the Crystal Mile.
TOM KITTEN maps around midfield, while BUCKAROO is likely to settle further back. If LINDERMANN controls the tempo, AUTUMN GLOW should get first crack at him.
THE FORM
AUTUMN GLOW ($1.25) brings the strongest form. She beat CEOLWULF by 2.24 lengths in the King Charles III Stakes, the same race CEOLWULF won on his way to winning last year’s Champions Mile.
She fits the two strongest Blueprint angles: a last-start Group 1 mile win and a map that puts her in the first four. She’s fourth-up, one run earlier than any winner under weight for age.
LINDERMANN ($11) looks the main danger if he gets his own way. He beat TOM KITTEN ($12) by almost a length at level weights in the Craven Plate and has already beaten CEOLWULF over a mile this prep.
BUCKAROO ($13) had ANOTHER WIL ($23) a length behind him in the Crystal Mile over this course and distance, but ANOTHER WIL maps to get first run on him again.
AUTUMN GLOW is the one to beat. LINDERMANN is the one most likely to make her earn it.
NIC ASHMAN'S TIP: #8 AUTUMN GLOW
"No bravery awards but the only way she gets beaten is if she doesn't travel - remember this is her first run outside of NSW. I agree withe the profile analysis, LINDERMANN is the one who can run the Quinella."
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