Champions Mile 2024

Champions Mille

Preview, Trends & Analysis

The Rundown

The Group 1 Kennedy Cantala Mile is a stalwart event of the Flemington Spring Racing Carnival.

Run over 1600 metres at Flemington on Derby Day – which features The Victoria Derby, Empire Rose Stakes and the Coolmore Stud Stakes – it is reserved for the strongest milers who dare challenge. 

The race has gone through plenty of name changes since its inception in 1881. 

The inaugural running of the race back in 1881 was named the Coburg Stakes and ran under that name until 1919. 

From then until 1961 it was called what we know it to be today – Cantala Stakes. 

The race then underwent a series of name changes again until it was finally settled in 2018 as the Cantala. 

Usually run on the final day of the Flemington Carnival, the race swapped places with the Mackinnon Stakes in order to accomodate horses wishing to back up into a 2000-metre Group 1 race following the Cox Plate. 

The Famous Winners and Record Results

The 2021 edition of the Kennedy Cantala Mile was probably one of the most jaw-dropping finishes in the history of the race with four horses almost dead-heating for first. 

Cascadian burst through along the rails to hit the front alongside the $5 favourite Mr Brightside, only to get picked off by Damien Oliver charging home on Superstorm. 

Cascadian would finish third with Icebath flying home for second and Mr Brightside finished fourth. 

Barely a head separated all four horses in a thrilling four-way photo-finish. 

Other famous victories in the Cantala include champion miler Fierce Impact (2019) and fan favourite Happy Trails (2012). 

One of the biggest upsets in the race was during the Spring Carnival of 2007 when Tears I Cry won the race and in the process brought up Ciaron Maher’s first ever Group 1 success. 

Tears I Cry paid in excess of $101 on the day and the famous footage of her owner screaming and crying in the Flemington grandstand is an image many a horse-racing fan will remember. 

Scrolling back through history, champion horses such as Better Loosen Up (1989), Taj Rossi (1973) and Gunsynd (1971) have all been victorious in this race. 

The Statistics

The Recent Winners

Year WinnerTrainerJockeyOdds
2022 Alligator Blood G Waterhouse & A Bott Tim Clark $5.4
2021SuperstormDanny O’BrienDamien Oliver $7
2020Yulong PrinceChris WallerDamian Lane$13
2019Fierce Impact Matthew SmithCraig Williams$7.5
2018Best Of DaysJames CummingsCraig Williams$10
2017ShillelaghChris WallerMichael Dee$12
2016Le RomainKris LeesHugh Bowman$14
2015Turn Me Loose Murray BakerKerrin McEvoy$9.5
2014HucklebuckPhillip StokesDominic Tourneur$10
2013BobanChris WallerGlyn Schofield$4.5
2012Happy TrailsPaul BesharaDamien Oliver$13
2011Albert The Fat Chris WallerMark Zahra$17

The Questions

When is the Kennedy Cantala Mile held?

29th November, 2022.

Are there any other races on the day?
  • The Victoria Derby features four Group 1 races including the Kennedy Cantala Mile itself.
  • The $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m), the $1.5 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and the $1 million Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) are the three other main Group 1 events on the day. 
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How do I bet on the Kennedy Cantala Mile?
  • Download the brand new BetDeluxe app on iPhone or Android from your app store and/or punch in betdeluxe.com.au to your browser.

    BetDeluxe is your home for all different types of ways to bet not only on the Kennedy Cantala Mile but every race across Australia.
Where do the winners and runners of the Kennedy Cantala race next?
  • Nearly all Kennedy Cantala Mile winners and runners are immediately sent to the paddock. 
  • Some may also chance their luck by heading over to Western Australia and tackling the Railway Stakes or the Kingston Town Stakes. 

How To Bet On The Kennedy Cantala Mile

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