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The Group 1 Kennedy Cantala (1600m) will be held at Flemington on Saturday, October 30 and Bettingpro.com.au provides you with a comprehensive guide to the race.
Kennedy Cantala tips, best bets, field & odds. Below is our complete Kennedy Cantala guide — race details, history and past winners, lead-in form, betting markets and FAQs. Check back race week for the final field, odds and our best bets.
The Kennedy Cantala — now run as the VRC Champions Mile — is the open-age mile Group 1 staged at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival (Champions Day, formerly Stakes Day). It is a weight-for-age contest over 1600m carrying $3 million in prize money. Formerly known as the Cantala Stakes and the Emirates Stakes, it is one of the most competitive spring miles and regularly draws Toorak Handicap form horses plus imports. This guide covers the Kennedy Cantala dates, distance, prize money, betting markets and our full race-day tips. For the full carnival, see our Melbourne Cup Carnival guide.
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Kennedy Cantala Race Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Distance | 1600m |
| Class | Group 1 Weight-for-Age |
| Age / Conditions | Three-year-olds and upwards |
| Venue | Flemington, Melbourne |
| Prize Money | $3 million |
| Run Date | Champions Day — final Saturday of the carnival |
How to Watch the Kennedy Cantala in Australia
The Kennedy Cantala (VRC Champions Mile) is run on Champions Day, the final Saturday of the Melbourne Cup Carnival — the Saturday after the Lexus Melbourne Cup. All four days of the carnival are broadcast live and free-to-air on Channel 9 and 9Now, with the Group 1 mile part of the closing-day program alongside the Champions Stakes. Dedicated form and race coverage is also available on Sky Racing and Racing.com, while most Australian bookmakers stream the race live to logged-in account holders. For the full Cup-week schedule see our Melbourne Cup Carnival hub, or our Mackinnon Stakes guide for the other Champions Day feature.
Kennedy Cantala History & Winners
Recent winners include Ceolwulf, Savatiano, Never Been Kissed, Angel Capital, Uncommon James and Atishu. The 1600m Flemington straight-finish test has produced a diverse honour roll across multiple eras, with the race name changing several times with sponsorship.
Lead-In Races
The main lead-ins are the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield, the Group 2 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes. Toorak Handicap form horses stepping up to WFA conditions are regular Cantala contenders.
Kennedy Cantala Betting Markets
All major Australian bookmakers price the Kennedy Cantala weeks out, with a full acceptances market released after the final field is declared. The core markets are:
- Fixed-Odds Win & Place — the bread-and-butter markets, with early speculative prices followed by final acceptances pricing.
- Each-Way — typically 1/4 the odds for a place (1-2-3).
- Exotics — quinella, exacta, trifecta and First 4. See our First 4 calculator guide.
- Same Race Multis — combine multiple runners from the same race into one bet. See our Same Race Multi guide.
- Head-to-Head & Group Markets — runner-vs-runner matchups and stable/country markets.
Best Bookmakers for the Kennedy Cantala
For a full comparison of the top Australian racing bookmakers, see our best horse racing betting sites in Australia guide.
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
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Kennedy Cantala FAQs
When is the Kennedy Cantala?
The Kennedy Cantala (VRC Champions Mile) is run on Champions Day — the final Saturday of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Saturday after the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
What distance is the Kennedy Cantala?
The Kennedy Cantala is run over 1600m at Flemington Racecourse.
Is the Kennedy Cantala a handicap?
No — the Kennedy Cantala is run at weight-for-age.
How much is the Kennedy Cantala worth?
The Kennedy Cantala carries $3 million in total prize money.
What was the Kennedy Cantala previously called?
The race has had several names over the years, including the Cantala Stakes and the Emirates Stakes, and is now run as the VRC Champions Mile, reflecting changes in sponsorship and branding.
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