VRC Champions Stakes 2026 Odds, Betting & Race Preview

The 2026 VRC Champions Stakes runs at Flemington on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

The VRC Champions Stakes is a Group 1 held on the final day of Melbourne Cup Week.

It’s one of the best WFA races on the Australian Racing calendar, and it has been won by the likes of Via Sistina, Zaaki, So You Think, and Lonhro. The 2000m distance suits milers and stayers, and it’s a great way to cap off a big week.

For the latest VRC Champions Stakes odds, form information, and betting insights, TAB provides the key details punters need to assess the field and make winning predictions.

2026 VRC Champions Stakes Odds

Stay tuned for the latest VRC Champions Stakes odds 2026 and betting markets, including all-in and final field betting.

VRC Champions Stakes Tips

Our VRC Champions Stakes tips will be published in the lead-up to the Group 1 feature, providing punters with expert analysis, betting predictions, and our best bets for one of the biggest races of the spring carnival.

The Champions Stakes is always a competitive betting race, with a wide range of form lines converging on the 2000m weight-for-age contest. The distance attracts proven middle-distance performers as well as quality milers looking to stretch out, creating plenty of depth and intrigue in the market. With superstar gallopers regularly lining up, it’s a prestigious race that connections are always keen to win.

Once the final field is confirmed on the Wednesday before the race, our horse racing experts will assess the latest VRC Champions Stakes 2026 odds, so check out our VRC Champions Stakes betting guide for the latest picks.

2026 VRC Champions Stakes Tips

Our 2026 VRC Champions Stakes tips will be published when the final field is released, but punters can bet into all-in markets, which are typically available earlier in the week when nominations are released.

The 2026 Champions Stakes could be a re-run of the Cox Plate. Many of the Cox Plate contenders are expected to line up this year, including Sir Delius, Aeliana, Birdman, and Cosmic Crusader. That makes it a tough betting contest, and also included in the nominations are Sheza Alibi and Pride of Jenni.

We expect some of the numbers to fall away, as this race comes at the end of many runners’ campaigns. However, the field never disappoints, and we’re hoping for ideal weather to grace Flemington.

For more in-depth VRC Champions Stakes tips, be sure to check out our race preview before the race, which is available at Betcha.

VRC Champions Stakes Race Info

• Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
• Track: Flemington, Melbourne, VIC
• Distance: 2000m
• Conditions: Weight-for-age
• Status: Group 1
• Prize Money: $3 million
• First Run: 1869
• Current Champion: Via Sistina

2026 VRC Champions Stakes Results

VRC Champions Stakes 2026 results and full finishing order will be published after the race is run on Saturday, November 7.

VRC Champions Stakes Betting

The Champions Stakes has generally favoured well-backed runners in recent years, with the last seven winners all returning single-figure odds. Via Sistina dominated the market in her back-to-back victories in 2024 and 2025, starting at $1.80 and $1.60, respectively.

Other short-priced winners include Zaaki at $2.25, Arcadia Queen at $2.45, and So You Think at $1.60. These fancied runners delivered when it mattered, reinforcing Flemington’s reputation as a happy hunting ground for punters backing the market leaders.

However, the Champions Stakes is far from immune to an upset. Four winners in the past 20 years have started at double-figure odds, highlighted by Sirmione’s remarkable $61 victory in 2007. 

Other roughies, including Side Glance, Awesome Rock, and Trap for Fools, have also defied the market. While favourites have enjoyed plenty of success, the race’s history shows there can still be value among the outsiders.

2026 VRC Champions Stakes Field

The 2026 VRC Champions Stakes field is released on the Wednesday before the race. We will have the updated final field once released by Racing Victoria.

VRC Champions Stakes Barrier Statistics

Over 2000m at Flemington, barrier draws don’t play a huge part. This race is typically run at a sedate pace, so every runner has a chance to find cover.

Via Sistina won her 2025 race from barrier 10, and she was only the second winner drawn wide in the last 10 years. Most winners draw in the middle of the field, with barriers 5-9 having a good Champions Stakes record.

Barrier 5 has three wins in the last 20 years, with the most recent coming in 2023 with Atishu, and it’s an ideal Champions Stakes barrier draw. It allows the jockey to find a good spot in running, so we prefer betting on horses drawn in the middle of the pack.

VRC Champions Stakes Form Guide

There are many good form guides for the Champions Stakes, and none more important than the Cox Plate. It’s the best form guide for this race, and it’s even more important in 2026, with the Cox Plate being run at Flemington for the first time. We recommend using that race as a form guide.

The Caulfield Stakes and Turnbull Stakes are also good Group 1 form guides. Following the form out of those races is key, as past Champions Stakes winners don’t often appear out of lesser-graded races.

2026 VRC Champions Stakes Form Guide

Our form analysts will have a 2026 VRC Champions Stakes form guide available during the week of the race.

Recent VRC Champions Stakes Winners

Year	Winner	Runner-Up	Third	Time
2026	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
2025	Via Sistina	Zambardo	Tom Kitten	2:07.91
2024	Via Sistina	Atishu	Without a Fight	2:01.86
2023	Atishu	Duais	Young Werther	2:02.01
2022	Zaaki	Mo’unga	Hezashocka	2:02.0
2021	Zaaki	Cascadian	Mo’unga	2:02.9
2020	Arcadia Queen	Fifty Stars	Melody Belle	2:03.5
2019	Magic Wand	Melody Belle	Hartnell	2:01.8
2018	Trap for Fools	Latrobe	Extra Brut	2:02.3
2017	Tosen Stardom	Happy Clapper	It’s Somewhat	2:01.2
2016	Awesome Rock	Hauraki	Seaburge	2:02.4
2015	Gailo Chop	Rising Romance	Contributer	2:03.5