On a day laid out for champions, even the greats can fall.

Before grand campaigner Via Sistina soared above the damp and cold of Flemington to win the $3 million Champions Stakes, heavyweights Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni were knocked to the canvas.

Via Sistina streaks to victory in the Champions Stakes. Credit: Getty Images

The pair had been floored by Father Time and Saturday’s big wet in the $3 million Champions Mile.

The Flemington track was downgraded to heavy an hour before their clash, and it sucked the vigour out of their ageing legs – eight-year-old Mr Brightside finished 11-lengths fifth behind eventual winner Ceolwulf, while eight-year-old Pride Of Jenni was another seven lengths back in eighth.

“It’s a shame,” Mr Brightside’s jockey Craig Williams said. “He wanted

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