DARLEY SPRINT 2019 PREVIEW
FLEMINGTON RACE 5 – 14:50 AEDT
OPEN G1
1200m
$2,000,000
SOFT 5
Rail OUT 9m entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 14x22 | SANTA ANA LANE | A FREEDMAN | M ZAHRA (5) | 58.5 | $2.25 |
| 2 | 4x414 | NATURE STRIP | C WALLER | J B MC DONALD (9) | 58.5 | $4.60 |
| 3 | 153x4 | ROCK MAGIC | CHRIS GANGEMI | JARRAD NOSKE (4) | 58.5 | $27 |
| 4 | 0x935 | THE BOSTONIAN | T PIKE | D DUNN (1) | 58.5 | $16 |
| 5 | 42434 | MALIBU STYLE | N PARNHAM | D OLIVER (8) | 58.5 | $51 |
| 6 | 0x133 | ZOUTORI | MATHEW ELLERTON & SIMON ZAHRA | D LANE (6) | 58.5 | $16 |
| 7 | x16x9 | IN HER TIME | K LEES | B AVDULLA (7) | 56.5 | $10 |
| 8 | 6x137 | ALIZEE | JAMES CUMMINGS | H BOWMAN (2) | 56.5 | $9 |
| 9 | 2x121 | LOVING GABY | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | C WILLIAMS (3) | 51.5 | $8 |
OVERVIEW
The VRC Sprint Classic is always a highlight at the end of the Melbourne Cup Carnival with some of Australia’s greatest sprinters of the last twenty years having won the race, including; Black Caviar, Buffering and Takeover Target. The majority of this year’s field have come through either The Everest or Manikato Stakes which should provide for an interest analysis of the field.
SPEED MAP
Nature Strip will take the unopposed in the small field while last year’s runner up In Her Time and The Bostonian will look to settle just in behind. Race favourite Santa Ana Lane will spot them a few lengths but will look to make ground late. This will be the 32nd race of the carnival so it will be interesting to see what ground down the straight the jockeys decide to take.
KEY RUNNERS
- SANTA ANA LANE ($2.25)
The five-time group One winner, including this race last year, stormed home to run second in The Everest behind Yes Yes Yes with the quickest last 200m of the race. Prior to that was good first up behind Sunlight where he likely wasn’t fully wound. Is three from eight third up and definitely ready to win here.
- NATURE STRIP ($4.60)
Won the Moir Stakes second up over 1200 metres before running a length fourth to Yes Yes Yes in The Everest. Has proven his doubters wrong over his ability to run out the six furlongs and will take running down from the front.
- LOVING GABY ($8.00)
Charged home on the back of a great ride from in-form jockey Craig Williams in the Manikato last start and has run first or second in six of her eight career starts. Carries just 51.5 kilograms under the weight for age conditions and a second group one to the young filly’s name would not surprise.
BLUEY’S PICK
- SANTA ANA LANE ($2.25)
Supremely talented horse who possesses an unmatched turn of foot when it all goes right. Has gone close both times this preparation a looks ready to win here. Bar any interference in running, expect to see Santa come early.
