Gr 1 – Champions Sprint Preview

Seems back to his best and if he brings that form here he will shake this. Ducked to the inside, reached the lead with 150m to go only to be out-bobbed by Bella Nipotina in The Everest last run. Freshened for this, loves the trip and looks certain to be in the finish.

Stepping up in grade here following his very impressive win in the $2million Sydney Stakes over 1200m last start. But, to counter that, he is a natural-born leader who will be in front for a long way – maybe even to the finish. In the Sydney Stakes, he ran 1.08.73. Bella Nipotina came out an hour later and ran 1.08.78 to win The Everest. Same trip, same day. So he must be right in this finish.

Good sprinter who shows up and is competitive all the time, however in slightly weaker races. This will test.

What an absolute movie-type story this would be if he were to win. He is a 6YO. Wasn’t on anyone’s radar to even have a career 3 years ago, and yet with time in a paddock he has come back, won 6 of his 8 starts and the best of them was last start when he man-handled I Am Unstoppable in the Gr 2 this trip at The Valley. This is yet another step up but he is flying. Now, sobering fact – his 2 losses have both been at this track.

What a racehorse. She’s had 56 starts and this will be her 4th race since 5 October this year! She is so, so tough and just knows how to win. At the moment, she clearly has her hands on the Best Sprinter In The World trophy. Has now won $22million in stakes and her win in Sydney last week over Sunshine In Paris and Lady Laguna was her most impressive to date. Sat 3-wide to win The Everest the start prior. Champion who looms large – but – she has raced at this track 10 times and is yet to win a race!

Star mare on the quick back-up here. Stormed home late into 2nd spot behind Bella Nipotina in the $3million Russell Balding in Sydney over 1300m last week. Rushed down here, coming back in trip, racing on a track she’s never been to etc. And this field is outstanding. Will get back and should run on strongly but a lot of things are against her. Place show.

Her last 600m in Sydney Stakes behind Overpass was outstanding and she brought that to the $3million Russell Balding in Sydney last week over 1300m when a great 3rd to Bella Nipotina. Quick back-up is fine but her form at Flemington is very average. Not keen.

Led all way and ran exceptional time to win here over 1100m last prep. Has taken 3 runs to find her best this time up but showed she had found it last start leading and winning the 1000m Gr 2 Caulfield Sprint last start. Will probably not be able to lead these and that should upset her rhythm.

Interesting galloper. Hasn’t raced against this level of talent yet but she has won 5 races to date and 4 of them have been up the straight here. Just grows a leg racing at this track. Last start finished like a train from 11th at the clocktower to claim the 1200m Gr 2 Gilgai. Can’t afford to give a couple of these headstarts with 300m to go but that Flemington record is very telling.

Good and tough sprinting mare but gets too far back to warrant a thought at this level.

Very smart and extremely valuable colt who led all the way last start to win the Gr 1 stallion-making Caulfield Guineas over a mile. Can sprint too but this is a massive step up in grade and coming back 400m from last start makes it even harder. Not keen.

This baby filly may well be the one to beat. She’s on the quick back-up from a stunning effort here last Saturday in the Gr 1 Coolmore Stakes behind Switzerland when she came from 12th at the clock tower to run 2nd. The last 600m she ran, with 55kg, was unworldly fast and she drops to 51.5kg in this. Probably has to go back a bit as there is enormous speed in this race but her finishing power, combined with this postage stamp weight means she will be absolutely flashing home. Enormous threat. Is potent in the wet also.