| Distance | 1,200m |
| Grade | Group 1 |
| Track Rating | Unknown |
| Prizemoney | $1,000,000 |
| Class | WFA (no maidens) |
| 2017 winner | Redzel ($4.00) |
This year's VRC Sprint shapes as an Everest reunion, with many of the same runners gathered here to tackle the famed Flemington straight.
Expect a different result however, with a few runners arriving here as a pure afterthought which is likely to throw up a result against market expectation.
I've settled on one that is third-up and comes via different form-lines than the Everest, which most will be focusing on.
This one could fly under the radar and looks great value.
Flemington track conditions and exact rail position will be available closer to jump as is always the case when the surface is in action for the Thursday Oaks meeting, which needs to be considered.
However for straight racing, down the centre of the track has proved popular for riders at recent meetings and expect them to use this lane again.
Fine conditions are predicted for Saturday.
There are no significant market moves in early betting.
Reigning Everest champ who loves to lead and dictate and has an ultra consistent record down the Flemington straight (3:2-1-0), including a win in this race last year.
From gate 8, he will be leading them up the crown of the track and will be awfully hard to run down as always.
Just feel that he is a shade under the odds at $5.00 in current betting, considering his high profile and popularity with the mug punters.
However, there is no doubting his top shelf credentials and winning ability. Top hope.
The tactics proved spot on last start, when they rode him closer to win the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.
He placed second in his only straight run at this distance when coming from off the speed and it will be interesting to see what the tactics are on this occasion.
They'll likely instruct the rider to be tucked in behind the leaders, with midfield the desired position.
From there, he can dart through over the final 100m to claim them. Excellent chance.
Will be getting well back as per his usual pattern, before storming home late.
He will be forced to peel out wide at some point to run-on and it's always a traffic risk coming from that far back.
They may well opt to come back along the inside and up the rail if that is the place to be.
Happy to oppose at the current $9.50 in betting, however have to concede he is a genuine winning chance and will go very close late.
Returns here following the Royal Ascot campaign, where he disappointed when running a well beaten 10 of 13 in the famed July Cup and 10 of 11 in the Diamond Jubilee in the start prior.
He does have an imposing Flemington straight track record over this distance (4:3-0-0) and if right, will be flashing home late.
However, there are huge question marks on how he has come back following the arduous UK trip, which does tend to flatten them. No.
Could grow a leg now that he's back to a sprint trip following a disappointing last start effort over 1,600m in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap, when he finished 13 of 18.
There has been good success this season with trainers opting to come back sharply in distance with quality runners and that profile looks perfect here, in what is likely to be a high-pressure race.
Considering they are likely to go warp speed up front, he must go on top as the "last man standing".
$11 is very appealing. Yes.
Was a huge run to win the Group 3 Sydney Stakes last start, when he simply brained them by 2.8 lengths.
This is a big step up in quality, however he certainly has the talent to compete.
Has tactical speed to be forward or back in the run and deserves to be treated warily. Top hope.
Was ultra impressive when just missing behind Brave Smash at the Valley in the Group 1 Manikato, where he raced close to speed.
He is likely to be up there again, although doubt thy will have the confidence to be challenging Redzel.
There looks to be a touch more quality engaged here and more speed, both of which will work against him. No.
Was highly touted by the stable and heavily supported in betting at his past two, without troubling the judge.
He finished last to Brave Smash in the Manikato last start and was well beaten in the Everest in the start prior.
Would need a massive turnaround in form. No.
She looks a strong player in this following the 7 of 12 finish in the Everest, where her condition looks to have given out on the wet surface.
Back on top of the ground and coming in off the back of a 4 week freshen is perfect!
Will stalk them the entire straight before Corey Brown presses the go button to dart home over the top. Great hope.
None preferred.
1st Jungle Cat
2nd In Her Time
3rd Kementari
4th Pierata
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