A sensational field of fourteen runners, nine of which are Group 1 winners, will storm up the Flemington straight in the VRC Sprint (formerly Patinack Farm Classic). Heading the market is Hong Kong superstar Lucky Nine ($4.00) who will have no doubt benefited from his first Australian hit-out in the Manikato Stakes. In a wide open affair, a further six runners are listed between $7.50 and $11.00.

Sprint Classic Guide

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1. Lucky Nine Preview:

Trainer Casper Frownes said his charge was “about 85%” fit for his first Australian run which came in the Manikato Stakes a fortnight ago. He sat on the speed and just lost a length heading into the turn, not uncommon for a horse having their first look at the tricky Moonee Valley circuit, before balancing up and hitting the line hard to run a nose second to Buffering. On that run and with an extra 15% improvement to come, he’ll be hard to beat here.

Trainer:C Fownes

Jockey:B Prebble

Breeding:Dubawi X Birjand

Prize money earned: $5383605

Form at 1200m: Untried at this distance

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:9

Weight to be carried: 58.5kg

2. Buffering Preview:

Finally, after so many close calls in the top grade, the 6yo by Mossman finally secured a Group 1 victory last start in the G1 Manikato Stakes (1200m). He held on just, by a nose, to defeat the fast finishing Lucky Nine with Sessions and Moment of Change, whom he also meets here, not far away in third and fourth spot respectively. He’ll jump to the front and has finished second three times from five starts this track/trip, including seconds to Hay List in G1 Lightning and to Black Caviar in this race in 2011. Will be in the mix.

Trainer:R L Heathcote

Jockey:D J Browne

Breeding:Mossman X Action Annie

Prize money earned: $3208400

Form at 1200m: 23:8,6,3

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:1

Weight to be carried: 58.5kg

3. Epaulette Preview:

Winner of the G1 Doomben 10,000 during the winter, which he won by two lengths over Sea Siren with Buffering third, the son of Commands returned in the G1 A. J. Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley at the end of September. Given his winter form and previous first up efforts, he started a well supported 5/1 chance but disappointed with his seventh placing, finishing ten lengths from winner Samaready. Has been given a freshen up since then and on his best form, would be a definite chance but has a lot to turn around on the Moir effort.

Trainer:Peter Snowden

Jockey:K Mc Evoy

Breeding:Commands X Accessories

Prize money earned: $1717750

Form at 1200m: 7:2,2,1

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:2

Weight to be carried: 58.5kg

4. Temple Of Boom Preview:

Goes well up the Flemington straight does this 7yo from Tony Gollan’s Queensland stables. Three starts back, over this track/trip, he ran third to Speediness in the G3 Bobbie Lewis, a race that has been a good form reference all spring (Rebel Dane fourth). In his two well spaced runs since, he finished a close up eighth (beaten 2.2 lengths) behind Rebel Dane in the G1 Rupert Clarke (1400m) before getting too far back in the G1 Manikato Stakes last start and finishing second to last, but only 3.1 lengths from Buffering. Much better suited back here at Flemington where he has won or been placed, five of his eight starts over this trip.

Trainer:T J Gollan

Jockey:J B Mc Donald

Breeding:Piccolo X Temple Spirit

Prize money earned: $1275245

Form at 1200m: 22:2,5,3

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:12

Weight to be carried: 58.5kg

5. Bel Sprinter Preview:

Has the ability, as evident by his ultra-impressive 3 ¼ length win in the G1 The Galaxy earlier this year but, the 6yo also has a bad habit of being slowly away from the gates. This trait didn’t assist his chances in either the G1 Moir Stakes or G1 Manikato Stakes, his two runs back from a sixteen week spell, where he draw the inside gate on both occasions. He was doing his best work late in the Manikato, his most recent start, and closed well to run sixth, just over a length behind Buffering. The bigger track and straight of Flemington should suit. He ran ninth in this race last year after an average performance in the Manikato. Capable of good improvement.

Trainer:Jason Warren

Jockey:M Rodd

Breeding:Bel Esprit X Gavroche

Prize money earned: $915453

Form at 1200m: 9:1,2,1

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:10

Weight to be carried: 58.5kg

6. Moment Of Change Preview:

Ran second to champion Black Caviar in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) and was beaten a nose by Shamexpress in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at his two previous attempts up the Flemington straight. His three starts this prep, which commenced in the G2 Mitty’s McEwan Stakes (1000m) back in September, have all been at Moonee Valley. The latest was his most pleasing run, a fast finishing fourth beaten just on half a length behind Buffering and Lucky Nine, indicating that the Peter Moody trained galloper was ready to produce his best. On his previous Flemington runs and last start, has to be considered a live chance.

Trainer:P G Moody

Jockey:L Nolen

Breeding:Barely A Moment X Europium

Prize money earned: $796638

Form at 1200m: 7:2,1,1

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:4

Weight to be carried: 58.5kg

7. Shamexpress Preview:

Winner of the G1 Newmarket Handicap over this course and distance back in March of this year and that effort earned him a trip to contest the leading sprint races in the UK. His first overseas race, the G1 King’s Stand (1006m) where he finished ninth of nineteen, was followed by a seventh of eleven in the Darley July Cup. His first run back on home soil resulted in him running ninth, only 1.6 lengths off Buffering. The son of O’Reilly can only be better for having had that run.

Trainer:D T O’Brien

Jockey:D Oliver

Breeding:O’Reilly X Volkrose

Prize money earned: $780475

Form at 1200m: 7:2,1,2

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:8

Weight to be carried: 58.5kg

8. Fontelina Preview:

The Anthony Cummings trained galloper has been in solid form this campaign. Two starts back and from a good barrier, he was given a fantastic ride by Peter Robl in the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and looked the winner in the final stages of the race before Rebel Dane dove late and snatched victory. He then stepped out in last Saturday’s Yellowglen Stakes, a race he was successful in the previous year, and made it back-to-back victories, recording a 1 ¼ length win over Spirit of Boom. The son of Testa Rossa competed in this race last year and ran tenth. He appears to be going better than last year however and should enjoy a good run just off the pace from gate six.

Trainer:A J Cummings

Jockey:N Rawiller

Breeding: Testa Rossa X Decipher

Prize money earned: $723500

Form at 1200m: 6:3,0,0

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:6

Weight to be carried: 58.5kg

9. Rebel Dane Preview:

After an impressive victory first up in the G3 Show County at Warwick Farm, the Gary Portelli trained galloper started the 6/4 favourite in the G3 Bobbie Lewis over this track and distance. Given it was his first look up the Flemington straight he did well to run a close up fourth behind Speediness (beaten 1.2 lengths). Then, when third up over 1400m and back to a turning track, he was too good for fifteen rivals in the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield, arriving right on the line to defeat Fontelina (who has since won a G2). Stepped up to WFA conditions for only the second time at his most recent in the Manikato Stakes and did well, finishing hard to record a fifth placing one length behind Buffering. Very good effort last start and having had a look up the straight earlier in his campaign will stand him in good stead here. It would not be surprised to see him figure in the finish.

Trainer:G Portelli

Jockey:G Boss

Breeding:California Dane X Texarcana

Prize money earned: $688630

Form at 1200m: 4:2,0,0

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:5

Weight to be carried: 58.5kg

10. Sessions Preview:

A lightly raced but highly promising 4yo from the Darley operation, who has been right in the finish at each of his past three starts. He claimed the G2 The Shorts before, at his first look up the Flemington straight and having to come home along the fence, not the ideal place to be, and doing well to run fourth (beaten 1.1 lengths) to Platelet in the G2 Gilgai Stakes. The son of Lonhro then stepped up to the WFA G1 Manikato Stakes and produced a career best run, finishing third, beaten a long neck by Buffering with Lucky Nine second. Drawn well here and on last start’s effort, cannot be ruled out.

Trainer:Peter Snowden

Jockey:J Bowman

Breeding:Lonhro X Seances

Prize money earned: $513950

Form at 1200m: 3:1,0,1

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:3

Weight to be carried: 58.5kg

11. Unpretentious Preview:

Talented and due to injury, sparingly raced galloper who resumed from a tenth month spell with a strong head win in the G2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) over Pago Rock. That took the son of Stratum record to four wins from eleven starts. His win on Cup day last year in the Mss Security Stakes over this track and distance, was astonishing one when coming from near last but this is by far the toughest race he has contested and would take a big effort to run some of his competitors down, especially under WFA conditions.

Trainer:Ms N Burke

Jockey:Craig Williams

Breeding:Stratum X Alisa Free

Prize money earned: $295925

Form at 1200m:5:1,1,1

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:13

Weight to be carried: 58.5kg

12. Platelet Preview:

Quality mare who rounded out her last preparation with successive wins in the G1 Robert Sangster and G1 Goodwood Handicap. The daughter of Strategic then returned with an eye-catching fourth behind the speedy Kuroshio in the G2 Mitty’s McEwan (1000m) before taking out the G2 Gilgai Stakes with a strong on-pace effort, defeating Spirit of Boom by ¾ of a length. Her next and most recent run saw her carry 59kgs in the G2 Caulfield Stakes where she stuck on tenaciously from a forward position in the run to finish fifth (beaten 1.2 lengths) behind Spirit of Boom. As honest as they come and albeit in weaker grade, she’s unbeaten in two starts over this track/trip.

Trainer:D K Weir

Jockey:B Melham

Breeding:Strategic X Bloodline

Prize money earned: $1093350

Form at 1200m: 9:6,1,0

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:7

Weight to be carried: 56.5kg

13. Sidestep Preview:

After luckless runs in the first three starts of his preparation, the Exceed and Excel colt was given a seven week let-up by trainer Peter Snowden and returned to racing in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m). Jumping from the inside gate, he pinged straight to the front but not surprisingly, was found wanting late first up over the final 100m and ran sixth, beaten 3 lengths by budding superstar Zoustar. Draws much wider out today which, according to how the track is playing, could be an advantage and as a 3yo, he’ll be keen to capitalize on the weight advantage he has however, he comes up against some seasoned professionals here that should have his measure.

Trainer:Peter Snowden

Jockey:Tommy Berry

Breeding:Exceed And Excel X Dextrous

Prize money earned: $853750

Form at 1200m: 6:1,2,0

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier:14

Weight to be carried: 53.5kg

14. Villa Verde Preview:

As the only 3yo filly in the race, she will line up with only 51.5kgs on her back. She drew wide and went to the front two starts back and stuck on well for fourth in the Blue Sapphire (1200m) at Caulfield behind Lion of Belfort before again taking on the boys in the G1 Coolmore Stakes last Saturday. Against some smart 3yo’s the Sean Dwyer trained filly performed well, running fourth and 2 ¾ of a length behind Zoustar. Honest late but this is a whole different class and she should be well accounted for.

Trainer:S A Dwyer

Jockey:C Schofield

Breeding: Not A Single Doubt X Young And Free

Prize money earned: $321650

Form at 1200m: 4:0,1,0

Sprint Classic Odds:

Sprint Classic barrier: 11

Weight to be carried: 51.5kg

OVERVIEW.

With Buffering drawing the inside and likely to be leading, think most will come toward the inside rail here. Sessions, Fontelina and Moment of Change, who are drawn to get a good sit behind the pace, will want to ensure they maintain their position from the jump. Not sure what Prebble does from gate 9 on Lucky Nine. He may just shoot straight up the middle of the track and that’s worked well for the winners of the straight races thus far this week. He doesn’t have to improve much off of his Manikato run to be winning here. Host of chances outside of him though with the pick of them for mine being Rebel Dane who represents good value at $11.00. Measured up well in the Manikato, running on when the leaders dictated and the return to the Flemington straight, which he experienced earlier in this campaign, plus a good gate, should give him every chance here. Moment of Change ($10.00) is close to a win after flashing home in the Manikato and goes well here. At $17.00, would be inclined to include Bel Sprinter in the multiples. Last start in the Manikato he showed good improvement and up the Flemington straight, tailing a good speed, he may be able to unleash a big finish.

1. LUCKY NINE
2. REBEL DANE
3. BUFFERING
4. MOMENT OF CHANGE

In the news:

Confidence in Epaulette’s ability and a belief the sprinter will like the Flemington straight course convinced Kerrin McEvoy to chose him over two stablemates in the Group One VRC Sprint Classic.

And having won the race on Mental last year, McEvoy is confident Epaulette is capable of making it back-to-back wins for the jockey should the dual Group One-winning sprinter put his best foot forward in Saturday’s $1 million race.

Epaulette, winner of the 2012 Golden Rose and this year’s Doomben 10,000, is one of three Peter Snowden-trained runners along with Sessions and three-year-old Sidestep.

McEvoy, Darley’s No.1 jockey, said it was a “tough choice” between Epaulette and last-start Group One Manikato Stakes placegetter Sessions.

Epaulette disappointed in his first-up Moir Stakes seventh, but McEvoy felt the sprinter didn’t handle Moonee Valley and a “shifting track” after rain on the night.

McEvoy was taken by Epaulette’s recent jump-out down the Flemington straight when the sprinter returned to Melbourne after a freshen-up at Darley’s farm in NSW.

“He’s in great order and if he turns up and concentrates and gives 100 per cent he’s going to give this race a real shake,” McEvoy said.

“I really feel that the straight racing is going to suit Epaulette.

“I might be wrong but I feel it’s going to help him land closer to the pace. Some of the races up in Queensland (during the winter) he got six to 10 lengths off the front and that can prove hard to turn around once you’re going for home.

“If he can lay up a bit closer it’s going to help him attacking the last two furlongs.”

McEvoy said last year’s winner Mental was reliable whereas Epaulette has a few quirks and needs to bounce back from the last-start disappointment.

“Mental was in fantastic form last year. Epaulette at his best is every bit as good as Mental, so we’re hopeful,” he said.

McEvoy has ridden four winners during the Melbourne Cup carnival but is chasing his first Group One for the week.

He is still lamenting last Saturday’s Victoria Derby where he rode Complacent to second behind Polanski and felt interference the colt suffered back in the field 2000m out could have cost him victory.