It’s one of the highlights of the entire Spring Carnival and ten sprinters will contest the Group 1 Darley Sprint Classic at Flemington on Saturday.
Australia is known for producing the world’s best sprinters and what the VRC Sprint Classic field lacks in size, it most certainly makes up for in talent.
VRC Sprint Classic – Winner
No. 3 Bivouac – Bet Now: $3.80
He has returned to racing in typically stunning form, he’s ready to peak and he loves racing down the straight – I can’t find a reason why Bivouac won’t be in the finish of the Darley Sprint Classic.
The Exceed And Excel entire is a multiple Group 1 winner, and he was outstanding during the Autumn Carnival this year; a preparation highlighted by a dominant win in the Newmarket Handicap at this track and distance.
He ran home well to fill the minors in The Shorts when resuming this time, was absolutely enormous from the tail of the field to finish second in The Everest, and is primed for another bold effort – I’m happy to have him on top of my Darley Sprint Classic tips.
VRC Sprint Classic – 2nd
No. 6 Zoutori – Bet Now: $10.00
Zoutori has been kept fresh and I think that will be key to a big performance in the Darley Sprint Classic.
The Zoustar gelding went close to recording a maiden Group 1 win when he returned in autumn for second behind Pippie in the Oakleigh Plate, and he ran another absolute bolter when fourth in the Newmarket Handicap.
Ellerton & Zahra have placed him perfectly this time – he was very impressive in winning the Bobbie Lewis fresh, then backed that up with another strong performance and win in the Gilgai.
He’s five weeks between runs now, should be able to lob into a nice spot in transit and Jamie Kah is obviously riding in career-best form.
VRC Sprint Classic – 3rd
No. 1 Santa Ana Lane – Bet Now: $8.50
The old warhorse has stripped fitter for a couple of fair efforts back this time, and while I don’t think that he can win, I think his class will still see him past many of his Darley Sprint Classic rivals.
The Lope De Vega gelding has amassed more than $8.2 million in prize money throughout his illustrious career, and he remains one of the toughest horses going around in Australia.
A sixth placing in an Everest that was as good as it was this year is nothing to be sniffed at, and I think he’s another that will be peaking in form on Saturday afternoon.
VRC Sprint Classic – 4th
No. 2 Nature Strip – Bet Now: $4.00
He hasn’t been a shadow of the horse that we saw in autumn, but this probably does shape as the most likely spring race that Nature Strip will perform well in.
At his best, there is no denying that he is one of the world’s elite horses, and he is still the highest-rated sprinter on world standings.
He was flat first-up behind Gytrash, similar in the Premiere and was the first beaten in The Everest, but I just know that if I don’t have him somewhere in my numbers, he’ll win by lengths.
VRC Sprint Classic Suggested Bets
- 4 Units straight out #3 Bivouac
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections above