Tips, Odds, Horses, Field, Runner Preview and Betting

justhorseracing.com.au

11 August 2023

West Wind Blows dominates betting for the Champions Stakes (2000m) this Saturday at Flemington as he looks to win a big race after being so close this time in.

Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Champions Stakes.

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2023 Champions Stakes Runner Preview:

1. Zaaki: Zaaki will likely lead them up and we know he is a beast when he leads and gets control, like he has done to win this race the last two years. He was game as ever in the Cox Plate, sitting on speed and he just kept finding in a very good effort behind Romantic Warrior. I am sure he’s going to look the winner for a long way.

2. Huetor: Can make a case to say he should have won the Craven Plate last time but that was a very weak race and yes, he has upside, but he’s not up to this level.

3. Young Werther: Interesting runner. Kept on ice for several weeks since contesting the Hill Stakes when working home well enough against the pattern behind Montefilia. Is he good enough to win? No, but I think at a big price, he could pinch a first four spot.

4. West Wind Blows: West Wind Blows has been outstanding in Australia and clearly rates highly. Game effort in the Turnbull before going to the Caulfield Cup where he was given a 10/10 steer from Spencer. Unfortunately, Zahra gave Without A Fight a 12/10 steer. Back to 2000m looks ideal and he’s clearly hard to beat provide there is petrol left in the tank.

5. Zeyrek: Surged hard late to win the Craven Plate but as stated above, it looked a weak race. He’s not up to these.

6. Pinstriped: Ben Allen said after the Cox Plate that this horse raced very fresh like he was first up, so taking the edge off him into this should help his cause but I still have my doubts on him at 2000m.

7. Buckaroo: Far from disgraced in a hot running of the King Charles against the pattern. His 2000m form does read pretty good for a race like this, he gets Blinkers on…first four threat.

8. Montefilia: Plain effort in the Caulfield Cup and for mine, I don’t think she is racing as well as she has been previously. Can’t entertain her and I am surprised she is around $21. She should be much longer.

9. Duais: Flying this girl but $5? Come on. Yes, can make a case to say she should have won the Cox Plate, but she was run down by Vow And Declare the start prior in the Might And Power…she is racing very well, the Cox Plate run was a beauty…but $5 is rock bottom/poison.

10. Atishu: Incredible effort in the Empire Rose last Saturday, making a sustained run and just missed out picking up Pride Of Jenni. Think 2000m is ideal for her…2000m seven days after that brutally run race? If she wins, I am losing on the race.

11. Prowess: I have been hot on Prowess for this race for a couple of months and won’t be dropping off her. Maybe lucky to win the Crystal Mile but keep in mind she was only second up, first run in Australia for the prep, and she did parade with improvement to come, so the fact she won showed she has come back enormous and I reckon getting to the bigger track, 2000m, Zahra sticks…gee she is set up to run a beauty.

2023 Champions Stakes Speed Map

Zaaki should get complete control here, like he got the previous two editions of this race. West Wind Blows gets the ideal sit behind him while Prowess, third up from a spell, will be handy too.