Champions Stakes Day 2026 Tips and Race Guide

Champions Stakes Day 2026 is Saturday 7 November 2026 at Flemington, the fourth and final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The feature race is the Champions Stakes, a 2000 metre Group 1 weight-for-age race won by Via Sistina in 2024 and 2025.

Result: Birdman won the Champions Stakes on Saturday 7 November 2026, ridden by Ben Melham for trainer Chris Waller, from Cox Plate winner Cosmic Crusader and Sir Delius.

Part of the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival, and the last day of Melbourne Cup week.

When is Champions Stakes Day 2026?

Champions Stakes Day is Saturday 7 November 2026, the fourth and final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington. It falls four days after the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 3 November, with Oaks Day two days earlier on Thursday 5 November.

The Champions Stakes is one of Australia’s marquee horse-racing events. When it comes to picking the right winner on Champions Stakes Day, it pays to understand the background, key trends, and a few smart horse-racing tips.

Held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne over 2000 metres under weight-for-age conditions, the Champions Stakes has evolved into a top-tier Group 1 contest. It offers a hefty prize pool recently around A$3 million and attracts high-quality thoroughbreds stepping up from other major races.

Why the Race Matters

Champions Stakes Day is part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and has become a prime target for horses coming through events like the Cox Plate. Because the race is run at weight-for-age over 2000 metres, it tends to draw mature gallopers with solid form and proven stamina.

For punters looking for horse-racing tips, this means focusing on horses that have already shown they can perform at middle distance and handle Flemington’s long straight and big-race atmosphere.

What to Look for in Your Horse-Racing Tips

When analysing the field:

• Form at 2000 m (or nearby) matters. Horses stepping up from shorter distances may find it tough to settle or finish strongly.
• Weight-for-age advantage: Because it’s a WFA race, older horses aren’t heavily disadvantaged by younger rivals experience often counts.
• Group-level performance: Horses with recent success at Group level are usually well-prepared for the challenge.
• Track and conditions: Flemington’s wide turns and long straight favour horses with tactical speed and the ability to find the right position.
• Champions Stakes Day context: As the feature day of the carnival, the electric atmosphere, larger fields, and high-stakes betting make for intriguing form analysis and potential value plays.

Quick Tip Summary

• Choose horses with proven middle-distance credentials.
• Back those with strong recent Group-race form.
• Look for value bets rather than just following the favourite there’s often hidden opportunity in the market.
• Keep an eye on barrier draws and track bias on race day tactics can matter as much as raw ability.

In short, the Champions Stakes 2026 is a premium Group 1 race that demands both class and tactical nous. Using these horse-racing winning tips on Champions Stakes Day can help refine your selections and give you a stronger edge when the gates fly open at Flemington.

Champions Stakes 2026: the first three

Birdman (Ben Melham, trained by Chris Waller) won from Cosmic Crusader (William Pike, trained by Andrea Leek) and Sir Delius (Craig Williams, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott), turning the tables on Cosmic Crusader two weeks after finishing second to him in the Cox Plate. The 2027 field and barrier draw will be published here in race week next November.

Champions Stakes tips

Dean McHugh’s tips for the 2027 Champions Stakes will be published here in race week next November.

Read Dean’s Saturday previews through the carnival on our racing tips page.

Past Champions Stakes winners