CHAMPIONS ON EXHIBITION

A couple of years ago it took a bit of daring for the Victoria Racing Club to rename the final meeting of the Flemington Melbourne Cup carnival as Champions Day.

The theme falls a bit flat if the champions are not there, but this year they gathered en masse for one last celebration at the venue on a good racing surface over different distances in ideal conditions in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 62,000.

When it was all over, Cox Plate winner Via Sistina had scored in the style of the reigning racing champion for record jockey James McDonald, who, after four more winners and two Group 1 winners on the final day, now looks destined to to be named the world’s premier racing champion driver by 2024.

Via Sistina’s Cox Plate play next week will see her elevated in the International Federation of Racing Authorities’ rankings as the world’s leading turf horse, if not the world’s leading horse if her Cox Plate victory is ranked by above the 128 scored on land next to the Laural River in the The Dubai World Cup will be held in March as expected.

WATCH: Via Sistina Champion Stakes Victory

However, not all champions finished in the lead, as this G1 triple day usually demands. Pride Of Jenni, last year’s champion Australasian racehorse, failed to beat a runner at home for the first time in his career.

It will be the last time, as moments after crossing the line for new driver Ben Melham, she was retired by owner Tony Ottobre.

He later said he felt Pride Of Jenni was ready for the next stage of her life: that of a broodmare after a rather peculiar racing career in which she won around $1.5 million in betting in the first three years of her career and more than $8.5 million this. year alone.

There will be better mares in history with better records, but few have supported the heart-in-mouth journey that the heartbreaking Pride Of Jenni provided over the past 12 months.

His victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Sydney in April will be oft-repeated and routinely ignored for generations to come.

The Champions Sprint continued the women’s theme of the afternoon with Sunshine In Paris beating emerging mare Right To Party, with the outrageously consistent Bella Nipotina in third ahead of Stretan Angel.

It fell to Mr Brightside to right the ship for the boys in the Champions Mile. He was coming, not so much from the mat but from the neutral corner, after taking some hits this spring. His knockout secured the purchase of the yearling for $22,000 and now the winner of some $16.3 million will forever remain a champion because of his connections.

LOOK: Mr Brightside’s victory in the Champions Mile

ANGLAND EYES POSSIBLE RUN FOR THE CRANBOURNE CUP

Michael Kent Junior was feeling the pressure in the run-up to the first race with Angland as the ownership group was packed with friends.

“They are all my colleagues. It’s the boys’ horse, so there’s more pressure. The group chat has been very intense this week so I’m delighted for the horse and everyone involved and for Ace Bloodstock, it worked brilliantly.”

It was the third time in four years that a horse trained by Mick Price had won the inaugural race, the Benchmark 84 (1600m).

Kent Junior said they will consider managing Angland in the Cranbourne Cup

Angland was ridden by Mick Dee, who sat behind leader Nation’s Call.

It was Angland’s fourth win in his seventh start. Mick Price said Angland had improved in his last two outings when blinders were put on him which produced two wins.

“I think the more we compete and the more he calms down and forgets how to be such a criminal, the more professional he becomes,” Price said.

WATCH: Angland’s victory at Flemington on Champions Day

SHADOW CELEBRATIONS FOR BAKER

Bjorn Baker’s team loves to play for a victory on a major race day, but celebrations were low-key on Saturday as the team was still dealing with the sudden death of a popular owner, Paul Griffin.

Baker and jockey Ben Melham scored a big win in the $500,000 Inglis Nursery with debut filly Within The Law and the pair again join forces later in the Champions Stakes with Arapaho, where Melham will wear a black armband in memory of the horse’s co-owner.

“It’s a tragic story,” Baker said after Within The Law’s win. “He’s done a lot for the western Sydney communities. A lot of charities, a lot of sports clubs etc. He was known by everyone.”

Previously, Baker had taken to Facebook to honor Griffin.

“What devastating news. Paul was a great guy and a great friend. We send our thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones at this immensely difficult time,” Baker wrote.

“All of us at BBR who spent time with him remember him fondly and send him our deepest condolences.

“Rest easy Griffo.”

WATCH: Inside The Law’s Inglis Banner win at Flemington

TOUGH KING FINALLY FRONT PAGE NEWS WITH A PROFIT

Robbie Griffiths thought he was heading for another second when Rey Magneiro appeared to be struggling to retake Front Page with 100 meters to go, but then resorted to his usual toughness, according to the trainer.

Rey Magneiro, ridden by Jye McNeil, then came back strongly to defeat Front Page and Robrick, who tied for second place by a short head.

“He’s a tough horse. He’s been down several times and just didn’t look like he could win and got up. “He has a great will to win and he backs off well, as we have seen,” Griffiths said.

Griffiths was delighted to land a winner during Cup week as it is a feat he achieves regularly.

Now Rey Magneiro will have the opportunity to compete in the inaugural edition of The Meteorite (1200m), the $1 million slot race to be held on Cranbourne Cup day on November 23.

Southside Racing CEO Neil Bainbridge announced that Rey Magneiro would get the club’s place in the race.

LOOK: Rey Magnerio’s Stakes wins on Champions Day

HINGED BREAKS 1000 DAY DROUGHT

The theme of breaking long droughts continued in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) with Chris Waller’s mare Hinged winning her first race since February 2022.

Hinged ($4F) was third in last Saturday’s G3 Rosehill Cup behind winner Fawkner Park, but enjoyed comeback week and returning to Flemington to defeat race leader Sirileo Miss ($41) in the last 50 meters, with Lady In. Brave Pink in third place ($15).

“She has been a great horse. I don’t think he’s won in 18 months,” coach Chris Waller said.

“He’s been fighting some really good horses and often comes in second or third. But today he had his day.”

James McDonald said Hinged showed similar fight to teammate Atishu by running over a rival in the closing stages.

“For sure. He really wanted to win and he did a good job.”

WATCH: Hinged’s Matriarch Stakes Victory

CHAMPIONS SELECTED TO FLEMINGTON

Champions Day isn’t just about the horses – stars from all walks of life will descend on Flemington on Saturday for the latest in horse racing action.

Among them was Brisbane AFL coach Chris Fagan, who six weeks ago was winning one of the biggest prizes in Australian sport, but on Saturday was happily taking a backseat to the action on the track.

“I only come here once in a while, I’ve probably been here three or four times in the last 20 years,” Fagan said. “But I like racing. I like to see good horses.”

Fagan said his history with horses is not filled with success.

“My dad had some horses in Tasmania and I think I had a 2 per cent stake in some horses that didn’t even make it to the starting line, so I’m feeling a bit burnt out.”