Champions Sprint Preview

Champions day kicks off with the Champions Sprint and it’s the epic re-match of Giga Kick and Nature Strip down the famous Flemington straight.

Nature Strip is going to be out for redemption after his Everest failure. He didn’t get the easiest run then and had plenty of pressure keeping him out wide with a hot tempo which cost him late. He comes back to Flemington where he’s always been consistent and loves the straight track and has won three out of four over this distance. There’s less speed here and won’t be doing extra work like last start. He’s clearly the one to beat here and should be turning the tables on the three-year-old and going back-to-back.

Giga Kick could well be the next sprinting sensation. The unbeaten three-year-old was sensational in the Everest beating the big boys of the Australian sprinting ranks. Has won twice down the Flemington straight and looks like he’ll be given every chance to win again. Will get a perfect run behind the speed from barrier 7 and will be running on and smashing the line late. Top place chance and the one that could upset the favourite.

Bella Nipotina finally got her Group 1 victory last start and has the ability to be competitive once again. Has never won at Flemington but has had the three minor placings. Ultra-consistent mare who will get a super run stalking the speed and will be storming through the inside late running into the placings.

Roch ’N’ Horse has been racing well this preparation. Last start was super behind Private Eye who was second in The Everest and won the Nature Strip Stakes. Will be more positive with limited speed and loves the Flemington straight winning once and placing twice for three starts. Is over the odds and is a place chance and exotics play.

Levante was the winner of the outside in that messily run Newmarket earlier in the year. Has a fantastic record in New Zealand and is 3 from 3 first up. Could run a super race and is another one for the exotics and a place chance. Well over the odds for a mare of her class.

On top hope is the star sprinter Nature Strip. I expect him to bounce back here and show his dominance. Giga Kick in for second and Bella Nipotina for third with the two Kiwis Levante and Roch ‘N’ Horse battling out for fourth.

Punt on this race here