Best bets and tips for 2022 Champions Stakes day in Flemington

News Corp analyst Brad Waters first looks at Saturday’s Champions Day meeting in Flemington.

BEST RATE

NATURAL STRIP (Race 6, #1)

Defeated but not disgraced on Everest. However, Nature Strip is flying in a straight line and could bounce back to fix the ledger with a Giga Kick on Saturday.

FAVORABLE RATE

LUNCIES (Race 4, #9)

It held its own throughout the Geelong Cup and only died out in the last 100 meters. He can dramatically improve his game if he plays softer in the Queen’s Cup.

EARLY QUADDI

10, 12, 14, 19/2, 3, 14, 15/2, 5, 9, 11, 13/3, 4, 6, 8

31.25% for $100 for flexi

LARGE6

2, 5, 9, 11, 13/3, 4, 6, 8/1, 9, 14/2, 4, 5, 9/1, 7/9, 14

10.41% for $100 for flexi

QUADDI

Race 6: 1, 9, 14

Race 7: 2, 4, 5, 9

Race 8: 1, 7

Race 9: 5, 6, 7, 9, 14

83.33 percent for $100

RACE 1: 12:40 TWITTER TROPHY (1600m)

The final day of the carnival starts with a tough fight, but the FRENCH EMPEROR (14) impressed with how he let down to score a goal in Geelong. He moved up a couple of classes, but lost 5.5 kg. WINNING PARTNER (1) quickly scored points at the last start of The Valley and ran over 1600m. WORTHILY (16) is well behind the smart Uncle Bryn trailblazer in the fall and can run well fresh. ELUDING (11) was in good shape in the Valley and meets the Winning Partner 3kg better in the weight divisions.

RECOMMENDED RATE: The French emperor will win.

ENGINE MARKET INSERT: Chicago Bear $8-$5.50.

RACE 2: 13:15 AUSTRALIAN CHILDHOOD FUND TROPHY (2000m)

FLASH FEELING (12) started from an uncomfortable gate, but performed well in second place in the Sale and will be better equipped for it. He climbed 600 meters in a trip, but trainer John Sadler removed his blinders. ZA’EX (14) enjoyed the 1700m when he ran well in Geelong finishing second and has a good 2000m record. WUDDZZ (19) made a good impression on his Australian debut in Geelong and will do better. AGNELLI (10) tried hard last time under 60.5 on wet ground but could improve on better ground.

RECOMMENDED RATE: Flash feeling at every turn.

ENGINE MARKET INSERT: Check out Sharpish $11 – $9.

RACE 3: 13:50 AMANDA ELLIOTT (1400m)

Possibly the toughest race of the day on Saturday with over half the field by any chance. MAGIC TIME (14) was most impressive in the synthetic opening and could be even better off-tempo as it will be off a wider draw this time around. MUMBAI JEWEL (2) has been doing well all spring and should be doing well again. ANGRY SKIES (3) also went their separate ways, but they have the qualities to overcome it. KNIGHTJAR (18) is an improving type that can match.

RECOMMENDED RATE: Magic time anyway.

ENGINE MARKET INSERT: Sweetened $15 – $8.

RACE 4: 14:30 GROUP 3 QUEEN’S CUP (2600m)

Many of them are at the end of long campaigns but are happy that there is something on LUNCIES (9) to improve after the Chris Lees-trained stayer was trapped in the Geelong Cup. Before that, he played well in the Turnbull Stakes, but here he falls to a minimum. The SOULCOMBE import (11) is in solid foreign form and deserves respect during Chris Waller’s debut. CAPTAIN ENVIOUS (13) is constantly gaining momentum and can be very late. LUNAR FLARE (5) did not qualify for the Melbourne Cup but is a quality mare.

RECOMMENDED RATE: Lancy to each side.

ENGINE MARKET INSERT: Soulcomb $2.90 – $2.80.

RACE 5: 15:10 GROUP 2 STATE MOTHER (2000m)

An interesting competition, but giving SIRILEO MISS (3) another chance to establish itself here. She ran at pace and did her best in the Valley and was only a few steps away from the Group 1 level winner in her run of just 2000m. ATISHU (4) returns after a good effort in the Empire Rose Stakes and is the 2000m winner. STEINEM (6) seemed to have his sights set on this race and finished second in The Valley. DYNASTIES (8) didn’t have much luck on Melbourne Cup day and it’s something to think about.

RECOMMENDED RATE: Sirileo Miss One Way

ENGINE MARKET INSERT: Atishu $10 – $5

RACE 6: 15:50 GROUP 1 DARLEY CHAMPIONS SPRINT (1200m)

Great race, but we remain with the reigning NATURE STRIP champion (1). He was strong at the Shorts, but worked too hard at Everest, which caused him to be late. He’s outstanding on Flemington’s straight track and needs to find a better road. GIGA KICK (14) was a brilliant player on Everest and should again be the hardest to beat. BELLA NIPOTINA (9) easily won the Manikato Stakes and races well in the straight. ROCH ‘N’ HORSE (11) races well but doesn’t win and should be in the set.

RECOMMENDED RATE: Nature Strip to win.

ENGINE MARKET INSERT: Natural Strip: $2.10-$1.95

RACE 7: 16:30 GROUP 1 KENNEDY CHAMPIONS MILE (1600m)

A heavy first version of the “Champion Mile” but it comes with an improving MY OBERON (9) which was a dominant winner in the lighter combo in the Valley but will be much better equipped for this effort and the blinkers continue. PRIVATE EYE (2) is one of the best gallopers in Australia this time around and should do well once again by increasing the distance. ALLIGATOR BLOOD (4) was brave on the Cox Slab and will give another big spectacle falling in the distance. MR BRIGHTSIDE (5) also rolls down the Cox court but is the Group 1 winner in the 1600m.

RECOMMENDED RATE: My Oberon to win.

ENGINE MARKET INSERT: My Oberon is $6 to $4.40.

RACE 8: 17:10 GROUP 1 CHAMPIONS STATS (2000m)

We are likely to have another amazing competition ahead of us, but ANAMOE (7) has risen to the challenge this spring and has one more big performance left. I’M THUNDESTRUCK (1) almost got the Anamoe in Cox’s plate and is racing well in Flemington. ZAAKI (2) won this race last year and should be in the line of fire away from the first hurdle. MO’UNGA (3) was solid at Cox’s plate and will improve on harder ground.

RECOMMENDED RATE: Anamoe to win/ Box trifecta 1, 2, 3, 4, 7.

ENGINE MARKET INSERT: I am the Thunderer $4.60 – $4.

RACE 9: 17:50 WORLD HORSE GRAND HANDICAP (1100m)

The Melbourne Cup Carnival ends with a wide open event, but NADJEM SUHAIL (9) looked amazing when he finally got in shape for the jump sale and he can continue with it in the last one. HYPOTHETICAL (14) was a good winner in Geelong and will be better. TAUNTING (6) had a bit of bad luck in The Valley’s outdoors, but his best run is the 1100m. FINE DANE (5) is honest and should be.

RECOMMENDED RATE: Najem Suhail wins

ENGINE MARKET INSERT: Najem Suhail 11–7 dollars.