Champions Stakes Day Predictions - 7 November 2026

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 1 minute ago

Simon Lewis 1 minute ago

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Flemington’s final Saturday offers Group 1 tests of sprinting speed, miling class and 2000m excellence.
Cosmic Crusader is the early favourite to take the tap in the Champions Stakes.
Racing for the final day of the Carnival starts at 03:40 SAST on 7 November 2026.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival ends with some exciting Saturday racing (Getty Images).

Champions Stakes Day Predictions

Champions Stakes Day Predictions
Cosmic Crusader - Potential feature runner
Sir Delius - Alternative to the Cox Plate hero
Group 1 Champions Mile - field watch
Group 1 Champions Sprint - field watch
The best approach to the finale

Cox Plate winner Cosmic Crusader is a potential key runner in the 2000m TAB Champions Stakes, but connections have not confirmed he will start.

Cosmic Crusader - Potential feature runner

Cosmic Crusader has had an outstanding spring, winning the Turnbull Stakes and then the Cox Plate over approximately 2000m. His campaign illustrates the combination of tactical speed and resilience needed in elite middle-distance company, and victory here would supply a remarkable final chapter.

The Champions Stakes would be his eighth start of the preparation and connections are weighing the risks of another run. Sir Delius is a potential challenger, while Birdman and Aeliana have also been men-tioned as possible runners. No firm win bet should be published unless Cosmic Crusader is declared, his condition is satisfactory and the price justifies the risk.

Sir Delius - Alternative to the Cox Plate hero

Sir Delius has been identified as one of the horses being aimed towards the Champions Stakes and represents a natural alternative if Cosmic Crusader is absent or shows signs of a taxing campaign. A fresher rival can be particularly dangerous against a horse coming to the end of a long sequence of top-class races.

The decision will depend on official acceptances, final track conditions and any intervening stable reports. His presence is a genuine storyline, but assigning an invented win quote at this stage would add no value.

Group 1 Champions Mile - field watch

The Champions Mile gives high-class middle-distance horses a chance to meet specialists at a genuine mile. Pace can make the difference at Flemington, particularly if the field contains several prominent runners who force each other into an unsustainably fast early tempo.

Unlike the 2000m championship, an adequately verified runner list was not available when this preview was prepared. The selection therefore remains open, with preference to be given to a proven Group 1 miler carry-ing recent form into the carnival rather than to a reputation alone.

Group 1 Champions Sprint - field watch

Flemington’s straight 1200m can reward a powerful finisher but the changing course conditions and the lo-cation of the fastest early runners are often just as important. The strongest sprint contender will be one whose recent form demonstrates straight-course speed and the ability to sustain it under pressure.

As the runners have yet to be settled, the responsible betting call is to leave the individual selection and price open. Final barrier positions and any evidence of track bias from earlier carnival meetings should guide the last update.

The best approach to the finale

The final Saturday programme is expected to finish the carnival with three Group 1 contests, while supporting races create opportunities for emerging horses and runners seeking a final spring victory.

The Champions Stakes is the headline attraction, but the Sprint and Mile can be equally attractive betting propositions when the fields are fully known.

Verdict

Melbourne Cup Carnival

Cosmic Crusader is my pick to take the Champions Stakes crown in what looks a competitive field for the last day's racing at the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

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Simon is a talented sports writer in South Africa with a strong focus on cricket having played first-team level for UCT, including playing at two Universities Weeks.

From a young age Simon was an avid reader of cricket magazines and books, and went on to be Editor of The Googly, CricketScene SA and SA Cricket, in addition to being a Features Writer on SA Sports Illustrated.

He has interviewed most of South Africa's premier cricketers and was the first writer to interview a teenaged Jacques Kallis.

Simon has also written about English and local football, rugby and cricket, in addition to major international tennis and golf stars and competitions.

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