2026 Champions Sprint Field, Barrier Draw & Field

Last year’s winner, but he hasn’t run that well since, and he’s struggling to rediscover his best form this season. We’re happy to leave him out of our Champions Sprint tips based on his three runs this preparation.

He’s an 11-time winner, and he’s now with the Ciaron Maher stable for the twilight of his career. He looked good when winning fresh up, and he returned to good form when running second last start. Any moisture in the surface helps his chances.

He hasn’t won this season, but he has been close, including a good run in The Everest. Our only worry is that he needs things to go his way to win, and that often includes a solid pace and luck in running. The $9 is a fair price, and he’s a winning threat in this race. We expect to see his odds firm slightly on race day.

Bjorn Baker lines up the gelding, who wasn’t too far away from winning when running third last start, and improvement from that run should take him close. He’s not the most popular runner in the market, but he has upset claims.

It’s always tough to rule him out, but his two runs this campaign have been only fair, and they have come against slightly easier fields. His odds are accurate given his form, and he could be waiting to head to Perth later this year.

She is the best sprinter in Australia, and her win in The Everest was impressive. She got herself into a winning position, and her class took over. Ka Ying Rising closed late, but she was too gutsy, and we’re not shocked to see her start at an odds-on price. We rated her at $1.60 at time of publish, and she could blow this field away.

It has been a great return to racing for Joliestar, who endured a trip to Royal Ascot, where she ran well. She hit the line impressively to place in The Everest, and that run has gone under the radar. Punters get each-way odds for her in the Champions Sprint, and although beating Tempted is tough, she’s a champion in her own right.

Her form often picks up this time of the year, and although she’s not among the best sprinters in Australia, she rarely runs a bad race. Barrier 3 is a bit tricky, but if the inside is playing well, she can finish in the first three.

Her form down the Flemington straight is good, so it makes her tough to rule out. There hasn’t been much betting support for her, which is expected, but we’re not completely overlooking her top-level form.

Mark Walker lines up the enigmatic mare, who didn’t have much luck last Saturday at Flemington, and she’s on the one-week back-up. Her run two starts ago was a hard watch after missing the jump as a short favourite, but she is a Group 1 winner, and $23 at time of print is a good price for Champions Sprint predictions.

It’s good to see Point Barrow back to her best after two wins. Those have come against easier fields, but she has still faced high-quality opposition. Barrier 2 could be tough for her, as she likes to get back and use momentum around a turn to show her best.

The longshot of the field, and after opening at $81, there has been no money for her. She has talent, but she’s looking for something easier, and a confidence boost.