Runner-by-runner analysis for the $3m Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington

Anamoe is aiming to cap an unbeaten spring campaign in the Champions Stakes at Flemington. Form analyst Brad Waters assesses every runner.

Cox Plate champ Anamoe is striving to make it five wins out of five this prep in the Champions Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

News Corp form analyst Brad Waters looks at the chances of every runner in Saturday’s $3m Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.

1. I’M THUNDERSTRUCK (8) – $4.20

Trainers: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr

Jockey: Mark Zahra 59kg

BRAD SAYS: Gave a start and charged home to just miss in the Cox Plate. Anamoe should again settle ahead of him but the longer Flemington straight could get I’m Thunderstruck home this time.

I'm Thunderstruck will enjoy getting back to Flemington where he won the Makybe Diva Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

2. ZAAKI (1) – $7.50

Trainer: Annabel Neasham

Jockey: Jamie Kah 59kg

BRAD SAYS: Won this race last year and has been solid in his three Melbourne runs this time in. He’s drawn to find the front and should be in this for a long way.

3. MO’UNGA (11) – $11

Trainer: Annabel Neasham

Jockey: Nash Rawiller 59kg

BRAD SAYS: Did his best work late in the Cox Plate but is likely to settle at the back of the field again here. Has never missed a place at Flemington and could place again here.

4. MAXIMAL (9) – $41

Trainer: John O’Shea

Jockey: Ben Melham 59kg

BRAD SAYS: Not disgraced in the Cox Plate, which was run on his unfavoured heavy ground. He ran well on good ground over this course in the Turnbull Stakes and he’s a place chance again.

5. HEZASHOCKA (2) – $101

Trainers: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr

Jockey: Damien Oliver 59kg

BRAD SAYS: Hezashocka is a talented galloper but this looks too tough for him.

6. BANKERS CHOICE (7) – $81

Trainer: Mike Moroney

Jockey: John Allen 59kg

BRAD SAYS: He ran on OK in wet ground at the Crystal Mile but this assignment looks beyond him.

7. ANAMOE (4) – $1.95

Trainer: James Cummings

Jockey: James McDonald 58.5kg

BRAD SAYS: Anamoe is an outstanding mixture of class and bravery as shown by his last two wins in the Caulfield Stakes and Cox Plate. He’s never raced at Flemington but he’s the one to beat.

8. HINGED (3) – $21

Trainer: Chris Waller

Jockey: Brenton Avdulla 56.5kg

BRAD SAYS: She got home hard when close-up in the Golden Eagle last Saturday and went well in her previous 1600m runs but she’s never raced at 2000m and she’s up against this best this time. Place best.

Hinged is on the back-up after a close fifth in the Golden Eagle. Picture: Getty Images

9. MUSTANG VALLEY (10) – $41

Trainer: Andrew Forsman

Jockey: Tim Clark 56.5kg

BRAD SAYS: Mustang Valley won at Group 1 level in New Zealand last start but all her wins have been on heavy ground. She would have been better off in the Empire Rose Stakes last week.

10. ELLIPTICAL (6) – $15

Trainers: Anthony & Sam Freedman

Jockey: Craig Williams 51kg

BRAD SAYS: Nabbed on the line in the Spring Champion Stakes but he’s up against tougher competition as a spring three-year-old. The older horses are likely to be too strong.

11. MR MAESTRO (11) – $81

Trainer: Andrew Forsman

Jockey: Michael Dee 51kg

BRAD SAYS: He had his chance when fading late in the Derby last week but must have come through the race well. However, there’s a lot more depth to this and he’s dropping in distance.

BRAD’S TIPS

1. ANAMOE

2. I’M THUNDERSTRUCK

3. ZAAKI

4. MO’UNGA

Originally published as Runner-by-runner analysis for the $3m Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington