Looking for this year’s VRC Champions Stakes betting odds, field and tips? The expert tipsters at Neds have put together everything you need to know before this year’s race.
2026 VRC Champions Stakes Odds
The latest Champions Stakes odds 2026 provide punters with a valuable guide to one of Australia’s premier weight-for-age races at Flemington. Featuring an elite line-up of proven Group 1 performers, Cox Plate contenders, and middle-distance stars, the Champions Stakes betting 2026 markets are expected to attract strong interest throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Keeping track of the latest Champions Stakes odds can help punters identify the leading chances, market movers, and value runners ahead of this prestigious 2000m showdown on Champions Day.
The latest VRC Champions Stakes 2026 odds followed by the official race finishing order after the event will be available below.
| 1. Cosmic Crusader (11) 59kg32141 | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run settled well back; won by 0.8 len in the G1 Ws Cox Plate at this track on October 24 over 2040m defeating Birdman carrying 59kg at $9.50. The start before that 4th of 18 in the G1 Caulfield Cup on October 17 over 2400m, 1.4 len behind Kingswood with 56kg at $4.80. Been the benchmark all Spring, no reason he can’t win again. | |||
| 2. Light Infantry Man (5) 59kgx4820 | |||
| Last start raced on the pace before fading ran second last of 12 in the G1 Ws Cox Plate at this track on October 24 over 2040m, 13 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $21. The race before that rolled along in front before being edged out 2nd of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on heavy track; 1.75 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 58kg at $26. Unsuited in Cox Plate, the Turnbull run has him a place hope. | |||
| 3. Sir Delius (7) 59kg1×446 | |||
| Most recently 6th of 12 in the G1 Ws Cox Plate at this track on October 24 over 2040m, 5 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $5. The run before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, in the wet; 3.5 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $3. Bit disappointing in the Cox Plate, he can improve but is approaching D-Day. | |||
| 4. Attrition (9) 59kg90319 | |||
| Last start 9th of 12 in the G1 Ws Cox Plate at this track on October 24 over 2040m, 10 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $71. The run before that won by a neck in the G2 Hill Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1900m defeating Lindermann with 59kg at $6. Not quite up to these. | |||
| 5. Birdman (1) 59kgx6132 | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run 2nd of 12 in the G1 Ws Cox Plate at this track on October 24 over 2040m, 0.8 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $11. The race before that 3rd in a small field in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 2000m, 1.4 len behind Land Legend carrying 59kg at $4.40. Very good last time, if they go steadier he’ll be suited. | |||
| 6. Land Legend (8) 59kgx0010 | |||
| At the latest run raced on the pace before fading ran last of 12 in the G1 Ws Cox Plate at this track on October 24 over 2040m, 18 len behind Cosmic Crusader carrying 59kg at $41. The run before that won by a head in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 2000m defeating Sheza Alibi carrying 59kg at $61. Fancy the run two back was an anomaly. | |||
| 7. Von Hauke (3) 59kg3×700 | |||
| Most recently ran second last of 11 in the G2 Crystal Mile at this track on October 24 over 1600m, 6 len behind Surfin’ Bird carrying 58.5kg at $15. Before that eased back early on 11th of 15 in the G1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield on October 10 over 1600m, 3 len behind Lady Shenandoah with 56.5kg at $26. Outclassed. | |||
| 8. Sabaj (10) 59kgx0071 | |||
| At the latest run favourite; won by a neck in the LR Melbourne Cup Day Plate at this track on November 3 over 1800m on a soft track defeating Darkbonee carrying 57kg at $2.60. The race before that 7th of 15 in the G1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield on October 10 over 1600m, 3 len behind Lady Shenandoah carrying 54kg at $8.50. Nice win Tuesday but this is a lot tougher. | |||
| 9. Omni Man (6) 59kg543×3 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after two months 3rd of 13 in the G3 Geelong Cup on October 21 over 2400m, 2 len behind Point Of Law carrying 54kg at $15. Previously second-up ran last of 8 in the LR Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown on May 10 over 1609m, 12 len behind Catalina Delcarpio carrying 61kg at $19. Good at local debut but this is too tough. | |||
| 10. Aeliana (4) 57kgx0233 | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 12 in the G1 Ws Cox Plate at this track on October 24 over 2040m, 1.0 len behind Cosmic Crusader carrying 57kg at $4.20. The start before that 3rd of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on rain affected going; 2.75 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 57kg at $3.80. Had her chance latest but is going well, right in this. | |||
| 11. Treasurethe Moment (2) 57kg40257 | |||
| At the latest run 7th of 18 in the G1 Caulfield Cup on October 17 over 2400m, 4 len behind Kingswood carrying 55.5kg at $26. The run before that ran second last in a small field in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 2000m, 4.5 len behind Land Legend with 57kg at $12. Back in trip a plus but still has a bit to find. | |||
VRC Champions Stakes 2026 Tips
Our insider 2026 VRC Champions Stakes tips will be detailed here the week of the race and a full betting preview available on the Neds Blog.
| 1. Cosmic Crusader (11) 59kg32141 | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run settled well back; won by 0.8 len in the G1 Ws Cox Plate at this track on October 24 over 2040m defeating Birdman carrying 59kg at $9.50. The start before that 4th of 18 in the G1 Caulfield Cup on October 17 over 2400m, 1.4 len behind Kingswood with 56kg at $4.80. Been the benchmark all Spring, no reason he can’t win again. | |||
| 5. Birdman (1) 59kgx6132 | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run 2nd of 12 in the G1 Ws Cox Plate at this track on October 24 over 2040m, 0.8 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $11. The race before that 3rd in a small field in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 2000m, 1.4 len behind Land Legend carrying 59kg at $4.40. Very good last time, if they go steadier he’ll be suited. | |||
| 11. Treasurethe Moment (2) 57kg40257 | |||
| At the latest run 7th of 18 in the G1 Caulfield Cup on October 17 over 2400m, 4 len behind Kingswood carrying 55.5kg at $26. The run before that ran second last in a small field in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 2000m, 4.5 len behind Land Legend with 57kg at $12. Back in trip a plus but still has a bit to find. | |||
Latest VRC Champions Stakes News
Registered as the Mackinnon Stakes, this Group 1 VRC race was renamed the Champions Stakes in 2022 and is contested over 2000m at weight-for-age on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival contested at Flemington Racecourse the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup is run and won.
The $3 million VRC Champions Stakes makes an ideal final target for any gallopers that ran in the Group 1 Cox Plate over the same distance at Moonee Valley the previous month with plenty of former Mackinnon Stakes winners coming out of that classic.
Zaaki franked the 2021 Mackinnon Stakes form going on to win the next year’s then $5 million The All-Star Mile (1600m) before returning to successfully defend his Champions Stakes title in 2022.
In 2024 Via Sistina completed the Cox Plate – Champions Stakes double by a combined winning margin of 10.75 lengths! She would repeat the Cox Plate – Champions Stakes double again in 2025 before her retirement.
Via Sistina went on to frank the 2024 Champions Stakes form when returning in 2025 to win a host more Group 1 races including Sydney’s $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the autumn.
VRC Champions Stakes 2026– Quick Information
- Race Day: Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Former Race Name: Mackinnon Stakes
- Track Location: Flemington Racecourse
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Left-handed
- Race Distance: 2,000 metres
- Weight Conditions: Weight for age
- Qualification: Three-year-olds and over (excluding maidens)
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 1
- Operator: Victoria Racing Club
- Prize Purse: $3,000,000
- Inaugural Race: 1869
- 2026 VRC Champions Stakes Winner: TBD
VRC Champions Stakes 2026 Results
The official 2026 VRC Champions Stakes results and will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
- TBD
- TBD
- TBD
VRC Champions Stakes Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the Mackinnon Stakes / VRC Champions Stakes, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How to Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s VRC Champions Stakes |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s VRC Champions Stakes. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s VRC Champions Stakes. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the VRC Champions Stakes, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend. |
| Quinella Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within the VRC Champions Stakes in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the VRC Champions Stakes to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the VRC Champions Stakes to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the VRC Champions Stakes to win the First 4. |
| Quadrella Bet (Quaddie) | You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from the VRC Champions Stakes, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
2026 VRC Champions Stakes Big Bets
How to Bet on the VRC Champions Stakes in 2026
- Log in at neds
- Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
- Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
- Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on the VRC Champions Stakes / Mackinnon Betting (above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
VRC Champions Stakes Field 2026
The official VRC Champions Stakes 2026 field of final acceptances is announced by Racing Victoria on the Wednesday prior to the race and will be published in full below.
The 2026 Champions Stakes field is now out featuring a cracking line-up of WFA champions led in betting by the Cox Plate winning Cosmic Crusader drawn the outside alley (11) chasing the double Via Sistina completed in both 2024 and 2025.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Cosmic Crusader
J: William Pike
T: Andrea Leek |
132141 | G | 11 | 59kg | |
|
2. Light Infantry Man
J: Mark Zahra
T: Ciaron Maher |
5×4820 | G | 5 | 59kg | |
|
3. Sir Delius
J: Craig Williams
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
31×446 | H | 7 | 59kg | |
|
4. Attrition
J: Jamie Mott
T: Mitchell Freedman |
x90319 | H | 9 | 59kg | |
|
5. Birdman
J: Ben Melham
T: Chris Waller |
1×6132 | G | 1 | 59kg | |
|
6. Land Legend
J: Ethan Brown
T: Ciaron Maher |
9×0010 | G | 8 | 59kg | |
|
7. Von Hauke
J: Damian Lane
T: Cliff Brown |
03×700 | G | 3 | 59kg | |
|
8. Sabaj
J: Blake Shinn
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
4×0071 | G | 10 | 59kg | |
|
9. Omni Man
J: Dylan Browne Mcmonagle
T: Joseph O’brien |
8543×3 | G | 6 | 59kg | |
|
10. Aeliana
J: James McDonald
T: Chris Waller |
1×0233 | M | 4 | 57kg | |
|
11. Treasurethe Moment
J: Daniel Stackhouse
T: Matt Laurie |
x40257 | M | 2 | 57kg |
Which Horse Will Win the VRC Champions Stakes in 2026?
The best way to pick which horse will win the VRC Champions Stakes in 2026 is to take into account their lead-up spring racing form, assess the barriers, consider their past record at Flemington, and look at their previous weight-for-age performances.
Additional factors to consider when picking the VRC Champions Stakes winner include:
- Cox Plate Graduates: Between 2008-2025 12 of the 16 Mackinnon Stakes / Champions Stakes winners came off a lead-up run in the Cox Plate at The Valley most recently Via Sistina (2024 & 2025) who did the double two years running.
- Favourite Flops: Just five Mackinnon Stakes / Champions Stakes favourites since 2005 have won with So You Think (2010), Arcadia Queen (2020), Zaaki (2021), and Via Sistina (2024 & 2025).
VRC Champions Stakes Favourites 2026
Favourites in 2026 VRC Champions Stakes betting at time of publish include Andrea Leek’s flying Cox Plate champion Cosmic Crusader, the Chris Waller-trained class mare Aeliana coming off a Cox Plate third and the stable’s runner-up in that same key lead-up Birdman.
Arcadia Queen ($2.45 in 2020), Zaaki ($2.25 in 2021), and Via Sistina ($1.60 in 2024 & $1.80 in 2025) are the latest Champions Stakes favourites to win.
VRC Champions Stakes Race Day 2026
Race day takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026 as the feature race of Flemington’s 2026 Champions Stakes Day program. The other Group status races on the card include the:
- Group 1 $3,000,000 Champions Sprint (1200m),
- Group 1 $3,000,000 Champions Mile (1600m),
- Group 2 $300,000 Matriarch Stakes (2000m), and the
- Group 3 $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m).
2026 VRC Champions Stakes Day in Melbourne takes place on the same date as Sydney’s $1 million Golden Gift and the recently created $2 million The Five Diamonds.
VRC Champions Stakes 2026 Nominations
2026 Champions Stakes nominations close at 12 PM on the Monday of race week.
VRC Champions Stakes Weights 2026
Weight for age conditions applies to this race. 2026 Champions Stakes weights are declared by 4 PM on the Monday of race week with weights on the final acceptances to be published in our above VRC Champions Stakes Field section.
VRC Champions Stakes 2026 Acceptances
2026 Champions Stakes final acceptances must be declared before 9:30 AM on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in our above VRC Champions Stakes Field section.
VRC Champions Stakes 2026 Jockeys
Riders must be declared by 1 PM on the Wednesday of race week and the official 2026 Champions Stakes jockeys will be published in our above VRC Champions Stakes Field section.
VRC Champions Stakes Scratchings 2026
2026 Champions Stakes scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
VRC Champions Stakes Prize Money 2026
The 2026 Champions Stakes prize purse is worth $3,000,000 in total and is distributed from places first through to eighth.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,800,000 |
| 2nd | $540,000 |
| 3rd | $270,000 |
| 4th | $135,000 |
| 5th | $75,000 |
| 6th | $60,000 |
| 7th | $60,000 |
| 8th | $60,000 |
VRC Champions Stakes Race Number 2026
The 2026 VRC Champions Stakes race number is scheduled as Flemington Race 8 at 5:10pm (AEDT) on Saturday, November 7, 2026, on the final race day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. There are nine races in total that day at Flemington Racecourse.
VRC Champions Stakes 2026 Form Guide
The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2026 VRC Champions Stakes Form Guide post final acceptances.
VRC Champions Stakes Live 2026
You can watch or listen to the 2026 VRC Champions Stakes live, across the following mediums.
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Free-to-air television: Channel 9
Radio: Radio Sport National
Streaming: Racing.com
Mobile: Neds App
Mackinnon Stakes / VRC Champions Stakes Winners
Winners of the Mackinnon Stakes – now known as the VRC Champions Stakes – going back to 1999 are displayed in the table below. If you would like to view the full list of Mackinnon Stakes winners, going all the way back to 1861, please visit our VRC Champions Stakes / Mackinnon Stakes Winners page.
| Year | Winner | Trainer/s | Jockey | Weight | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Via Sistina | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 57kg | 2:07.91 |
| 2024 | Via Sistina | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 57kg | 2:01.86 |
| 2023 | Atishu | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 57kg | 2:02.01 |
| 2022 | Zaaki | Annabel Neasham | Jamie Kah | 59kg | 2:02.00 |
| 2021 | Zaaki | Annabel Neasham | James McDonald | 59kg | 2:02.94 |
| 2020 | Arcadia Queen | Grant & Alana Williams | Luke Currie | 57kg | 2:03.53 |
| 2019 | Magic Wand | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore | 57kg | 2:01.82 |
| 2018 | Trap For Fools | Jarrod McLean | John Allen | 59kg | 2:02.31 |
| 2017 | Tosen Stardom | Darren Weir | Damian Lane | 59kg | 2:01.22 |
| 2016 | Awesome Rock | Leon & Troy Corstens | Stephen Baster | 59kg | 2:02.49 |
| 2015 | Gailo Chop | Antoine de Watrigant | Ben Melham | 59kg | 2:03.56 |
| 2014 | Happy Trails | Paul Beshara | Damien Oliver | 59kg | 2:02.28 |
| 2013 | Side Glance | Andrew Balding | Jamie Spencer | 59kg | 2:03.59 |
| 2012 | Alcopop | Jake Stephens | Craig Williams | 59kg | 2:01.26 |
| 2011 | Glass Harmonium | Michael Moroney | Damien Oliver | 59kg | 2:02.72 |
| 2010 | So You Think | Bart Cummings | Steven Arnold | 58kg | 2:04.92 |
| 2009 | Scenic Shot | Daniel Morton | Shane Scriven | 59kg | 2:03.46 |
| 2008 | Theseo | Gai Waterhouse | Nash Rawiller | 59kg | 2:03.84 |
| 2007 | Sirmione | Bart Cummings | Peter Mertens | 58.5kg | 2:02.32 |
| 2006 | Desert War | Gai Waterhouse | Chris Munce | 58kg | 2:02.38 |
| 2005 | Lad Of The Manor | Roger Hoysted | Greg Childs | 58kg | 2:01.72 |
| 2004 | Grand Armee | Gai Waterhouse | Damien Oliver | 58kg | 2:00.91 |
| 2003 | Casual Pass | Mathew Ellerton | Glen Boss | 50kg | 2:05.86 |
| 2002 | Lonhro | John Hawkes | Darren Beadman | 57.5kg | 2:02.64 |
| 2001 | La Bella Dama | Graeme Rogerson | Scott Seamer | 55kg | 2:01.57 |
| 2000 | Oliver Twist | Brian Mayfield-Smith | Greg Childs | 58kg | 2:04.48 |
| 1999 | Rogan Josh | Bart Cummings | John Marshall | 58kg | 2:00.34 |