Some of the best sprinters in Australia will do battle at Flemington this Saturday in the Champions Sprint (1200m).
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Champions Sprint.
2023 Champions Sprint Speed Map
Looks to be two main speed influences here with Front Page and Asfoora, which is how they will likely settle you’d think given Front Page is proven at 1200m whereas Asfoora is a slight query. Imperatriz, Star Patrol and Airman won’t be far away and In Secret should be tucked in behind.
2023 Champions Sprint Runner Preview:
1. Front Page: Front Page is a ripper for Matty Dale and he’ll give a sight on speed I am sure. He has been freshened up since The Kosciuszko where he made it two wins straight in that race, leading throughout and he gave them an absolute spanking. Dry track specialist, proven down the straight…does he win? No, but can pinch a first four spot.
2. Buenos Noches: Held in The Everest but we know year in, year out, that is the best sprinting form line in Australia, so it always has to be respected wherever it goes. Good record down the straight and is drawn the right part of the track. Knockout hope.
3. Lofty Strike: He was very plain in a weak Caulfield Sprint and for mine, he hasn’t come up. Pass.
4. Star Patrol: Saves his best for the straight course and has been dominant this time in, winning the Bobbie Lewis and Gilgai. This is clearly his toughest test to date but hard to knock a straight track horse in a straight track race. Must for exotics.
5. Airman: I am not sure he is top class even though he is threatening to reach that level. Sydney Stakes effort was enormous and the trial since was sharp. But, I don’t think he is up to these.
6. Bella Nipotina: Ripping mare who won the Giga Kick last Saturday but was blessed by the bias. I reckon the stable will send her to Perth and drawn inside here, she needs too much to go her way to win.
7. In Secret: In Secret is the one for me. Can make a case to say she should have gone close to winning The Everest. She just got a bit too far back in the run but I really liked the way she found the line late behind Think About It. She is the best straight track horse in Australia and returning here, peak fitness, I am keen on her to knock off the star Kiwi mare.
8. Imperatriz: Imperatriz is a star and is clearly hard to beat but this is her test to see how good she really is. She spanked them in the Manikato and yes, she beat nothing relative to what she faces here, but she still made a mess of them and was quite arrogant. The unknown is the straight track, but in terms of runs on the board this Spring, she is clearly the #1 seed.
9. Espiona: She is the X Factor because the talent is there. Loved the way she let down and toughed it out to win The Invitation, which followed a far from disgraced in The Everest. If she handles the straight course, I think she’s dangerous.
10. Asfoora: Asfoora is four weeks between runs for Henry Dwyer since spanking them in the Schillaci where she led throughout and gee she was dominant. She got complete control and wasn’t getting beat from the 600m. Uncommon James ran well in the Manikato so the form reads solid and this mare did run well behind Imperatriz in the Moir. One for exotics.
11. C’Est Magique: Enough body of work now to say she is just a horse. Not up to this level.
2023 Champions Sprint $100 Betting Strategy:
$50 Win In Secret (Tote/SP)
$50 Win Imperatriz (Tote/SP)
Group l Strategy Outlay: $2200
Group l Strategy Return: $2530
2023 Champions Sprint Odds:
