Horse Racing Tips for The Champions Stakes 2026

Here we are. The final leg of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Stakes Day.

It's been a carnival that's been kind to punters, particularly across the Group 1 races, and hopefully that continues on Saturday as Flemington hosts its final three Group 1 contests of the week.

The Champions Stakes shapes as one of the most interesting races on the program. Unlike the Champions Sprint and Champions Mile, it doesn't feature a dominant odds-on favourite, leaving plenty of opportunities for punters to find some value.

However, with the main chances all coming through the Cox Plate, the form is relatively straightforward to assess.

Cosmic Crusader ($3.30) returns after his outstanding Cox Plate victory, while Aeliana ($2.50) has been installed as favourite despite being beaten by him twice this preparation.

Sir Delius and Birdman also bring strong form into the contest, making this a fascinating rematch between some of the country's leading middle-distance performers.

So, can Cosmic Crusader repeat his Cox Plate heroics, or will one of his rivals turn the tables?

Let's take a closer look at the track conditions, speed map and my leading selections.

 

 

Cody Lane's Champions Stakes Feature Preview & Best Bets 2026

Flemington Track Conditions – Champions Stakes Day

Flemington was rated a Good 4 on Friday morning, and despite showers being forecast overnight, I expect the surface to dry out and return to a Good 4 by the time the Champions Stakes field jumps from the barriers.

The running rail position is yet to be announced following Oaks Day on Thursday.

However, one of the great things about Flemington is how fairly the track has played throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Regardless of the rail position, I expect every runner to have their opportunity on Saturday.

 

Champions Stakes Speed Map & Race Shape

The speed map looks remarkably similar to the Cox Plate, and that's a major factor in how I'm assessing this race.

With several of the same runners meeting again, I'm expecting a strong tempo that should give the horses settling towards the rear every opportunity to finish over the top.

 

Expected Leaders – Light Infantry Man & Land Legend

It should be a case of rinse and repeat from the Cox Plate.

Land Legend (Barrier 8) won't have as much work to do to cross the field this time around and should take up the running.

Light Infantry Man (Barrier 5) is expected to settle close to the leader and apply pressure throughout.

Both runners like to race prominently, and I expect them to establish a strong tempo once again.

That should make this a genuinely run contest rather than a tactical sprint home.

 

On-Pace – Treasurethe Moment & Sir Delius

Treasurethe Moment (Barrier 2) has settled further back in her last couple of appearances, but the favourable draw gives her the opportunity to take up a much more prominent position.

I expect her to land in the box seat behind the leaders.

Sir Delius (Barrier 7) should be able to roll forward and settle towards the speed.

His exact position will depend on how positively Treasurethe Moment is ridden from barrier two.

If she pushes forward early, Sir Delius may have to settle slightly further back than anticipated.

 

Midfield – Birdman, Aeliana & Attrition

Birdman (Barrier 1) should enjoy an economical run along the rail, likely trailing Treasurethe Moment throughout the early stages.

Aeliana (Barrier 4) should settle in a comfortable midfield position, with James McDonald likely to follow Sir Delius into the race.

That should provide the favourite with every opportunity to produce her finishing effort when the field straightens.

Attrition (Barrier 9) faces a more difficult assignment.

She could end up anywhere in the field depending on how the early stages unfold, and finding a suitable position from barrier nine won't be easy.

Her best chance of securing cover may come if Land Legend pushes forward quickly and stretches the field, creating a gap for her to slot into.

 

Rear – Von Hauke, Omni Man, Sabaj & Cosmic Crusader

Cosmic Crusader (Barrier 11) produced his devastating Cox Plate victory from the rear of the field, and I expect William Pike to adopt similar tactics on Saturday.

From the widest barrier, Pike is likely to snag him back early, conserve energy and look to unleash his trademark barnstorming finish down the Flemington straight.

Omni Man (Barrier 6) settled well back in the Bendigo Cup, so I expect him to take up a similar position here.

The longer-priced Von Hauke (Barrier 3) and Sabaj (Barrier 10) are also likely to settle towards the rear.

 

Expected Race Shape

I'm expecting another strongly run race, much like the Cox Plate.

Land Legend and Light Infantry Man should ensure there's genuine pressure through the early and middle stages, which will give the runners settling further back the chance to build momentum.

That should set things up nicely for the swoopers.

It's a major reason why I'm keen to stick with Cosmic Crusader, who was devastating under similar circumstances in the Cox Plate.

 

Cody Lane's Champions Stakes Selections & Analysis

With the Cox Plate providing such a strong form reference, I've found it difficult to move away from the horse who beat them all last start.

However, there are a couple of runners at bigger prices who deserve serious consideration.

 

1st – #1 Cosmic Crusader ($3.30)

How can you go against him here?

This Champions Stakes looks almost a carbon copy of the Cox Plate.

Same race shape, largely the same opposition and only 40m less in distance.

Cosmic Crusader has been absolutely airborne this preparation, winning the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes and Cox Plate either side of his fourth placing in the Caulfield Cup.

He's proven himself against the best middle-distance horses in the country, and several of those rivals are lining up against him again on Saturday.

William Pike has also been riding in outstanding form at Flemington throughout the carnival.

We've become accustomed to seeing Pike produce perfectly timed rides in Western Australia, and he's been doing exactly the same thing in Melbourne over the past fortnight.

From barrier 11, I expect Pike to settle Cosmic Crusader towards the rear and allow the leaders to establish a strong tempo.

Then it's simply a matter of timing his run.

If Cosmic Crusader produces anything close to the finishing effort we witnessed in the Cox Plate, I can't see his rivals turning the tables.

He's flying, the race sets up perfectly and there's no obvious reason he can't claim another Group 1 victory.

My Verdict: Cosmic Crusader is my top selection and main bet. The Cox Plate form looks the strongest reference, and I expect William Pike to produce another perfectly timed ride.

 

 

2nd – #3 Sir Delius ($7.50)

Just like that, the market has jumped off Sir Delius.

He started favourite in the Cox Plate, yet now finds himself at $7.50 for the Champions Stakes.

That's a significant change in price, and one that makes him much more appealing.

There's no doubt he's not going as well as he was in the autumn.

I raised those concerns when opposing him in the Cox Plate, and his performance did little to change that assessment.

However, the stable and jockey Craig Williams have suggested that he would improve further heading into this run.

I'm sure those comments wouldn't have gone down particularly well with punters who backed him in the Cox Plate!

But how much weight should we place on that feedback?

At $7.50, I think it's worth taking into consideration.

We know what Sir Delius is capable of when he's at his best, particularly after his outstanding performance in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m.

And how often do we see a talented horse bounce back after a disappointing performance?

Especially when the market is offering close to double the price at its next start.

He's certainly capable of improving enough to be competitive, and I think the current quote makes him worth a small investment.

My Verdict: Sir Delius is a genuine danger at $7.50. I'll be having a small bet on him alongside my main selection, Cosmic Crusader.

 

 

3rd – #5 Birdman ($6.50)

Birdman has enjoyed an excellent spring campaign, much like his stablemate Aeliana.

However, unlike the mare, he's already managed to secure Group 1 success this preparation.

What I find particularly interesting is the market's assessment of the two stablemates.

Birdman beat Aeliana home in the Cox Plate, yet he's now available at almost three times her price.

That seems a significant discrepancy given they meet again under similar circumstances.

Barrier one is both an advantage and a potential concern.

He should enjoy an economical run along the rail, but he'll need some luck finding clear running when the pressure goes on.

If Ben Melham can save him for one final sprint up the straight, as he did last start, Birdman should be right in the finish again.

He's been racing consistently well, has already proven himself at Group 1 level and looks capable of another strong performance.

My Verdict: Birdman is a serious chance at $6.50. He beat Aeliana home in the Cox Plate and looks better value than his stablemate, provided he gets clear running from barrier one.

 

 

4th – #10 Aeliana ($2.50)

I find it extraordinary that Aeliana has been installed as favourite ahead of Cosmic Crusader.

In fact, I'd be surprised if the gap between them in the market doesn't narrow considerably before jump time.

She's been beaten twice by Cosmic Crusader over a similar distance range this preparation, and those defeats have come under different track conditions.

Now they meet again in a race that looks set to unfold in much the same way as the Cox Plate.

So what exactly is going to change?

That's the question I keep coming back to.

Of course, Chris Waller and James McDonald are more than capable of producing something brilliant.

They're two of the best in the business, and I certainly wouldn't dismiss Aeliana's chances of running well.

She's been extremely consistent throughout her preparation and should enjoy a favourable midfield run from barrier four.

However, there's a big difference between respecting a horse's ability and accepting the price being offered.

At $2.50, I simply can't have her as the favourite.

Cosmic Crusader has already beaten her twice, and I can't find a convincing reason why the result should be reversed on Saturday.

My Verdict: Aeliana is a consistent mare who should finish in the top four, but she's far too short at $2.50. I'd much rather be backing Cosmic Crusader.

 

Cody Lane's Champions Stakes Best Bets Summary

 

Cody Lane's Final Champions Stakes Verdict

For me, the Champions Stakes comes back to one simple question.

Why should we expect a different result from the Cox Plate?

The race shape looks almost identical, the main contenders are largely the same and Cosmic Crusader has already demonstrated that he's the superior horse under these circumstances.

With Land Legend and Light Infantry Man expected to establish a strong tempo, the race should once again suit those capable of producing a powerful finishing effort.

That's exactly what Cosmic Crusader does best.

William Pike has been riding brilliantly throughout the carnival, and I expect him to give the Cox Plate winner every opportunity to add another Group 1 to his record.

Sir Delius is the runner I want to save on at the bigger price. His Cox Plate performance was disappointing, but the stable's comments about further improvement make him an interesting proposition at $7.50.

Birdman also looks capable of running another strong race, while Aeliana should be competitive without offering much value at her current price.

Main Bet: #1 Cosmic Crusader ($3.30)

Value Bet: #3 Sir Delius ($7.50)

Top Four: Cosmic Crusader, Sir Delius, Birdman, Aeliana.

 

There are loads of tips for today's racing in our Horse Racing Tips market at theGreatTipOff.com.