VRC Champions Stakes Runners 2025: Can Anything Beat Via Sistina?

Fresh from the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, the Victoria Racing Club action is still going strong as the meeting moves into Saturday for Champions Day, with all eyes on the VRC Champions Stakes runners that include the gusty mare VIA SISTINA. 

This Chris Waller-trained Aussie superstar mare will head into the race as the warm favourite after another Cox Plate win two weeks ago – so can anything stop her winning another VRC Champions Stakes at Flemington on Saturday?

VRC Champions Stakes Runners 2025 Headed By Via Sistina

Saturday’s Flemington VRC Champions Stakes runners will revolve around one of the most popular mares in training – VIA SISTINA – as she looks to defend her crown.

The 1m2f race will be run at 6:10am UK time and 5:10pm local time over 1m2f and so we’ll know around two minutes later if Via Sistina can claim her second win in this Group One contest.

She was last seen winning the 2025 Cox Plate two weeks ago (watch below) and those looking to take her on in the Champions Stakes, might suggest that hard-fought short-head win could leave a mark.

Especially with only two weeks between races.

However, Via Sistina is a tough mare that takes her races well – and let’s not forget she won Saturday’s Champions Stakes 12 months ago having also mopped-up the Cox Plate.

That said, she did have a much easier win at Moonee Valley in 2024, winning by 9 lengths.

DID YOU KNOW? Via Sistina used to be trained in the UK by both Joseph Tuite and George Boughey?

Via Sistina Odds-On In The Champions Stakes Betting

The best horse racing betting sites are still suggesting she’s the one to beat, making her odds-on in the market at 8/11.

Via Sistina will be looking to join Zaaki, who won the race twice in 2021 and 2022 – but prior to that, you have to go back to 1980/81 to find the last ‘back-to-back’ Champions Stakes winner in Belmura Lad.

Having won the 2023 renewal with Atishu, Australian trainer Chris Waller is also eyeing up a third straight win in this Flemington Group One – as is jockey James McDonald.

The VRC Champions Stakes carries a prize purse of AUS $3m – which is $7m less than the Melbourne Cup prize money purse on offer this year.

Will The Wide Draw Be Against Via Sistina?

If you are still looking at taking on Via Sistina, then some might point to the draw.

She’s been handed gate 10, which will mean she’s only got one horse drawn wider in 11 – Alenquer, who used to be trained in the UK by William Haggas.

When she won the VRC Champions Stakes in 2024, Via Sistina came from gate 3 – while since 2016 all the winners have been drawn 9 or lower.

However, on a plus, those looking to kick this draw stat into touch, will say that Via Sistina is often held up and likes to come from off the pace – so the starting berth might not be an issue.

Plus, when looking at the last ten runnings – 50% of the winners came between gates 8-10, with Turn Me Loose winning from stall 10 in 2015.

Who Are The Main VRC Champions Stakes Runners Against Via Sistina?

TOM KITTEN 

This Godolphin-owned 5 year-old is expected to the be next best in the Champions Stakes betting market.

He was last seen running 5th (of 12) in the Group One King Charles III Stakes at Randwick in the middle of October.

The horse has raced 28 times (6 wins), but will only be having his fourth career run for the Anthony & Sam Freedman stable – having switched from James Cummings in the summer.

His last big win was in March here at Flemington, when landing the Group One The All-Star Mile – beating Cox Plate second Mr Brightside by a nose (watch below).

LIGHT INFANTRY MAN 

This Ciaron Maher runner will have his backers too – having last run 5th in the Cox Plate and just 3 1/2 lengths behind Via Sistina.

However, that run was the third time he’s seen the back of the Champions Stakes favourite since April.

Having been well back in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Winx Stakes – both at Randwick earlier this season.

His last big win came in the TAB Australian Cup back in March, but on a plus that was here at Flemington (watch below).

While he also ran third to already-mentioned Tom Kitten in the All-Star Mile at the Melbourne track in March.

UK racing fans might also remember Light Infantry Man being trained by David Simcock between 2021 and 2022.

PIER

Another of the VRC Champions Stakes runners that could challenge Via Sistina is Pier.

This Darryn & Briar Weatherley-trained gelding was last seen running third in the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick. Finishing two places ahead of Tom Kitten.

He’s only had eight career runs though and his only win came on debut in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas in 2022 (watch below).

VRC Champions Stakes Runners 2025: Via Sistina Heads Field Of Eleven

See below the 2025 VRC Champions Stakes runners, including jockeys, trainers, odds and draws (in brackets).

Note: 2025 VRC Champions Stakes odds are subject to change 

When Will The VRC Champions Stakes 2025 Be Run?

See below the Champions Stakes time for UK viewers – with the race set to be run on Saturday 8th November morning at 6:10am.

With the race being shown on Sky Sports Racing.

📅Date: Saturday 8th November 2025
⌚Time: 6:10am (GMT) (5:10pm local time)
🏇Racecourse: Flemington
💰Winning Purse: $3,000,000 AUS
📺 TV: Sky Sports Racing

VRC Champions Stakes Winners (Last 10 Years) 

WATCH: Via Sistina Winning The 2024 VRC Champions Stakes