This is the best Champions Day I can recall, with remarkable star power assembled across the race card.

I’ll focus on the 1200m and 2000m contests, aiming to pick the winners after nearly completing the double last Saturday with Switzerland in the Coolmore and Amelia’s Jewel in the Empire Rose.

The Champions Sprint promises a thrilling contest, with Everest winner Bella Nipotina currently priced at $4.20 as she looks to further establish herself as Australia’s top sprinter.

Although she faces many of the same rivals she defeated in the $20 million race at Randwick, she will also contend with several rising stars including the exciting Baraqiel, Coolmore runner-up Bellatrix Star, and Caulfield Guineas winner Private Life.

In contrast, the Champions Stakes presents a less even field with dominant Cox Plate winner Via Sistina the hot favourite at $1.70.

There’s still plenty of interest, with the 2023 Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight returning to the track for the first time since his 3200m victory.

Could he do the unthinkable and defeat the champion mare first-up?

Let’s take a closer look at both races.

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Track Conditions

Rated a Good 4 on Thursday for Oaks Day, the track should remain in that condition for Champions Day.

The running rail will shift to the 8m position from the 5m on Thursday, but this shouldn’t impact the track’s consistency throughout the carnival, with every runner likely getting a fair chance.

Flemington Race 6 – Champions Sprint (1200m)

The Map

No doubt Overpass (2) will roll forward under Josh Parr, joined by Estriella (4) on pace.

Baraqiel (1) will follow Overpass from the inside, with the favourite Bella Nipotina (12) settling close behind the speed.

Other top chances, Giga Kick (7), Sunshine In Paris (9), and Bellatrix Star (11) are expected to settle toward the back.

The tempo likely won’t be too quick, so while the backmarkers have the turn of foot to win, they might struggle to close in under these conditions.

Bella Nipotina

The Winner

#2 Overpass – $5.00

I’m adopting the same angle as with Switzerland in the Coolmore Stud Stakes and am tipping this 6yo gelding from the Baker stable to win here.

He should get an easy lead and control the race from the front.

He impressed first-up, winning the Group 3 Sydney Stakes, and should perform well second-up off the three-week turnaround.

While he has been beating lesser competition in his last three wins, he ran a quicker time in the Sydney Stakes than Bella Nipotina posted in the Everest on the same day.

This is his target race, his "Grand Final" and he’ll be tough to catch up front.

The Danger

#1 Giga Kick – $4.60

Although the race setup doesn’t quite favour him, he’s peaking after a superb run in the Everest, just nosed out by Bella Nipotina.

He has a strong record on the Flemington straight (two wins from three starts) and I like that he skipped the Russell Balding at Rosehill, which both Bella Nipotina and Sunshine In Paris contested.

I'm expecting a big performance off the freshen-up.

Giga Kick

The Value

Bellatrix Star – $11.00

It’s surprising to see this Kiwi mare at double-figure odds.

She was outstanding last Saturday in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, where she was held up at a critical moment and had to switch inside, losing ground before dashing home for second.

She comes in at a featherweight 51.5kg with the rise in class to Weight-For-Age, but like Giga Kick she’ll need a faster pace than is expected to nail Overpass late.

Flemington Race 8 – Champions Stakes (2000m)

The Map

Look for a strong contest for the lead, similar to the Caulfield Cup, with Duke De Sessa (5) and Deny Knowledge (12) vying for the front position.

Royal Champion (9) who has been on-pace in both Australian starts this prep will also be up there, alongside Eliyass (2) and Future History (6).

Via Sistina (4) is the hot favourite and should sit back under in-form jockey James “J-Mac” McDonald, looking to peel off and make her charge home.

Atishu (1) will aim to follow her, while 2023 Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight (10) will mount a first-up challenge from the rear.

A quick tempo will give the backmarkers a solid chance to close in.

The Winner

#10 Via Sistina – $1.70

It’s tough to bet against her, with her only stumble this campaign coming on a Heavy track.

She’s been flawless in three of her four starts this prep, none more so than her scintillating Cox Plate win in record time.

With a similar tempo here, she should prove far too good.

Via Sistina

The Danger

Eliyass – $12.00

I expect this talented 5yo to bounce back to form here, stepping back to 2000m.

He wasn’t disappointing in the Caulfield Cup, running 7th, but he did tire late over the 2400m.

He started as the favourite in the Turnbull Stakes ahead of Via Sistina and Buckaroo and finished within two lengths of them.

A similar performance here would put him right in contention, making him a strong each-way bet.

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Cody Lane

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