The 2026 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) at Randwick looks a far more defined betting race compared to others on the card, with Tempted clearly setting the benchmark. There’s still plenty of depth underneath though, with runners coming through strong lead-ups like the Darby Munro and The Galaxy. Grafterburners returns off an interrupted prep but has trialled sharply and commands respect, while Caffe Florian looks a key danger after an eye-catching run when held up before charging late. Devil Night also brings solid Group form and maps well for a soft run.
It’s hard to go past Tempted, who was excellent in the Surround Stakes and looks ideally placed back to 1200m off a freshen. Her recent trial suggests she’s come back in top order and with even luck, she looks the one they all have to beat. Caffe Florian profiles as the main threat if she gets clear air at the right time, while Grafterburners adds intrigue back on home track. Overall though, this shapes as Tempted’s race to lose.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Arrowfield Sprint.
2026 Arrowfield Sprint Runner Preview:
1.Beiwacht: SCR
2.Devil Night: Did a really good job in the William Reid, getting third. Stable is flying and he maps to stalk the speed…one for exotics.
3.Grafterburners: If you listened/read Kelly Schweida quotes, you wouldn’t have taken double figures this horse in The Galaxy. Interrupted prep and unfortunately he was scratched behind the barriers. Back home, trialled super and seems to have had a better grounding here. Commands respect.
4.Skyhook: Kept chasing in the Darby Munro but seemingly did have his chance. Better for the run and has a kind map, he can fill a place.
5.Pallaton: Handy type but not quite up to these.
6.Beadman: Tried hard in the Darby Munro after covering ground but just felt the pinch late. J Mac sticks, but I don’t think he’s good enough to measure up.
7.Nashville Jack: Plain in the Darby Munro, not for me.
8.Marhoona: Great win in The Galaxy but draws tricky, and just not sure if there is petrol left in the tank.
9.Tempted: Hard to get away from Tempted. She has been kept on ice since the Surround when just seeing out the 1400m in wearing down Savvy Hallie right on the peg to score. Freshened up for this race, loved the way she moved in a recent trial…I think good luck beating her.
10.Caffe Florian: The more you watch the replay of the Darby Munro, the more I convince myself that Caffe Florian goes close with clean air. She was back near last and held up but got clear air in the inferior ground and was really good late when third. If she gets room to move and is within range, she’ll take holding out.
2026 Arrowfield Sprint $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Place Caffe Florian at $3.50.
Arrowfield Sprint Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | DEVIL NIGHT | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Ben Melham | 1 | 56.5kg |
| 3 | GRAFTERBURNERS | Kelly Schweida | Damian Lane | 5 | 56.5kg |
| 4 | SKYHOOK | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tim Clark | 2 | 56.5kg |
| 5 | PALLATON | Michael Freedman | Craig Williams | 4 | 56.5kg |
| 6 | BEADMAN | Peter Snowden | James McDonald | 9 | 56.5kg |
| 7 | NASHVILLE JACK | Brad Widdup | Tommy Berry | 7 | 56.5kg |
| 8 | MARHOONA | Michael Freedman | Zac Lloyd | 10 | 54.5kg |
| 9 | TEMPTED | Ciaron Maher | Chad Schofield | 8 | 54.5kg |
| 10 | CAFFE FLORIAN | Richard Litt | Jason Collett | 6 | 54.5kg |
Arrowfield Sprint Odds
2026 Arrowfield Sprint Speed Map
Beiwacht should find the front comfortably and roll along. Devil Night stalks in behind while Beadman should come across. Skyhook should get into a nice spot just off the speed.
