Looking for this year’s Champions Sprint betting odds, field, tips and info on how to bet on the Champions Sprint in 2026? The experts at Neds have put together everything you need to know before this year’s edition of the race formerly known as both the VRC Sprint Classic and Darley Classic.
2026 Champions Sprint Odds
The Champions Sprint odds 2026 are some of the most competitive of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with Australia’s elite speed horses and proven Group 1 sprinters converging on Flemington’s famous straight six. As the field takes shape, the Champions Sprint betting 2026 markets will be heavily influenced by spring feature race form, straight-track credentials, barrier allocations, and market support. Follow the latest Champions Sprint odds, betting moves, and market updates with Neds to identify the leading contenders and uncover value in one of the season’s premier weight-for-age sprint contests.
The latest Champions Sprint 2026 odds followed by the official race finishing order after the event will be available below.
| 1. Giga Kick (7) 58.5kg0x089 | |||
| Last start from last on the turn 9th of 12 in a G1 The Everest at Randwick on October 17 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $41. The run before that 8th of 13 in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1200m, 4 len behind Jimmysstar with 58.5kg at $13. Won this last year but not going well enough. | |||
| 2. Mazu (11) 58.5kg1×102 | |||
| Last start set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 8 in the G2 Mcewen Stakes at this track on October 24 over 1200m, nose behind Smooth Chino carrying 58.5kg at $14. Before that failed to make an impression; 10th of 12 in the G2 Premiere Stakes at Randwick on October 3 over 1200m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $18. Will roll along but this is much harder. | |||
| 3. Headwall (6) 58.5kgx2542 | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently came from midfield; 2nd of 15 in the G2 Russell Balding Stakes at Randwick on October 31 over 1300m, 0.8 len behind Pericles with 56.5kg at $4.60. The run before that 4th of 12 in a G1 The Everest at Randwick on October 17 over 1200m, slow going 0.7 len behind Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $51. Keeps racing well and the straight should suit. | |||
| 4. Caballus (8) 58.5kg6×573 | |||
| Last start set the pace for much of the race 3rd of 15 in the G2 Russell Balding Stakes at Randwick on October 31 over 1300m, 1.2 len behind Pericles with 58.5kg at $17. The run before that 7th of 12 in a G1 The Everest at Randwick on October 17 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Tempted with 58.5kg at $151. G1 winner here and will give a sight. | |||
| 5. Rey Magnerio (12) 58.5kg62×54 | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 9 in the G2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 1100m, 3.5 len behind Jigsaw carrying 58.5kg at $5.50. Last start 4th of 8 in the G2 Mcewen Stakes at this track on October 24 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Smooth Chino carrying 58.5kg at $7. Outclassed this level. | |||
| 6. Tempted (9) 56.5kg1×111 | |||
| On a six run winning streak. At the latest run ran on from midfield and won by a head in a G1 The Everest at Randwick on October 17 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Ka Ying Rising carrying 56.5kg at $6.50. The race before that won by 3 len in the G2 Premiere Stakes at Randwick on October 3 over 1200m in soft going defeating Savvy Hallie with 56.5kg at $1.60. Best sprinter in the country and should prove it again here. | |||
| 7. Joliestar (10) 56.5kgx3x23 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 11 in a G2 The Shorts at Randwick on September 19 over 1100m, neck behind Mazu carrying 56kg at $3.70. Second run from a spell 3rd of 12 in a G1 The Everest at Randwick on October 17 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.6 len behind Tempted with 56.5kg at $19. Racing well. Very good last time and is proven down the straight, main danger. | |||
| 8. Charm Stone (3) 56.5kg43×34 | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 13 in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Jimmysstar with 56.5kg at $21. Second run from a spell raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 16 in the G2 Sydney Stakes at Randwick on October 17 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Grafterburners with 56.5kg at $8.50. Going well but doubt she’s quite good enough this level. | |||
| 9. Skybird (1) 56.5kg0x615 | |||
| Last start 5th of 16 in the G2 Sydney Stakes at Randwick on October 17 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Grafterburners carrying 56.5kg at $10. Before that won by a nose in the G2 Gilgai Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1200m in heavy going defeating Smooth Chino with 55kg at $2.90. Proven here, blowout hope if it’s wet. | |||
| 10. Geegees Mistruth (5) 56.5kgx5582 | |||
| Last start 2nd of 16 in the G3 Begonia Belle Stakes at this track on October 31 over 1100m, 0.5 len behind Flying For Fun carrying 59kg at $9. The race before that from last on the turn ran second last of 9 in the LR Alinghi Stakes at Caulfield on October 17 over 1100m, 3 len behind Gentle Steel carrying 61kg at $1.90. This looks out of her reach. | |||
| 11. Point Barrow (2) 56.5kg5×011 | |||
| Last start settled well back; won by 1.5 len in the G3 Northwood Plume Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 1200m defeating Naifah carrying 58kg at $3.10. Before that settled well back; won by a long-neck in the G3 How Now Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1200m defeating Bridal Waltz carrying 57kg at $7.50. Much harder now but she’s got a very good turn of foot. | |||
| 12. Plaintiff (4) 56.5kg2×498 | |||
| At the latest run 8th of 14 in the LR Silver Eagle at Randwick on October 17 over 1300m, slow going 4 len behind Apocalyptic carrying 55kg at $13. The start before that 9th of 12 in the G2 Premiere Stakes at Randwick on October 3 over 1200m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Tempted carrying 56.5kg at $11. Outclassed. | |||
Latest Champions Sprint News
Champions Sprint 2026 Tips
Our insider 2026 Champions Sprint tips will be detailed here the week of the race and a full betting preview available on the Neds Blog.
| 6. Tempted (9) 56.5kg1×111 | |||
| On a six run winning streak. At the latest run ran on from midfield and won by a head in a G1 The Everest at Randwick on October 17 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Ka Ying Rising carrying 56.5kg at $6.50. The race before that won by 3 len in the G2 Premiere Stakes at Randwick on October 3 over 1200m in soft going defeating Savvy Hallie with 56.5kg at $1.60. Best sprinter in the country and should prove it again here. | |||
| 7. Joliestar (10) 56.5kgx3x23 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 11 in a G2 The Shorts at Randwick on September 19 over 1100m, neck behind Mazu carrying 56kg at $3.70. Second run from a spell 3rd of 12 in a G1 The Everest at Randwick on October 17 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.6 len behind Tempted with 56.5kg at $19. Racing well. Very good last time and is proven down the straight, main danger. | |||
| 11. Point Barrow (2) 56.5kg5×011 | |||
| Last start settled well back; won by 1.5 len in the G3 Northwood Plume Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 1200m defeating Naifah carrying 58kg at $3.10. Before that settled well back; won by a long-neck in the G3 How Now Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1200m defeating Bridal Waltz carrying 57kg at $7.50. Much harder now but she’s got a very good turn of foot. | |||
The Champions Sprint is held on the last day of the coveted four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival in November each spring. Taking place on the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup is run and won on the first Tuesday of November, the Champions Sprint is held over 1200m down the iconic ‘Straight Six’ at Flemington Racecourse.
Offering $3 million in prize money as of 2022, the weight-for-age feature draws a field of the season’s best sprinters, many of which may be coming out of the world’s richest turf race – the $20 million The Everest (1200m) held at Randwick the month before.
In 2017 Redzel completed The Everest – Darley Sprint Classic double winning the inaugural edition of the first leg. Nature Strip (2021) became the second horse in history to do the double when winning the VRC Sprint Classic for a second time.
The Everest also produced the following four VRC Sprint Classic winners with Santa Ana Lane (6th in 2018), Nature Strip (4th in 2019), Bivouac (2nd in 2020), and as mentioned above Nature Strip (1st in 2021).
The Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley a fortnight prior is a key Champions Sprint lead-up. Buffering (2013) was the last horse to do the double.
The event was renamed the Champions Sprint ahead of the 2022 edition which was won in an upset by the mare Roch ‘N’ Horse who defeated two-time champion Nature Strip.
In 2024 The Everest winner Bella Nipotina ran third in the Champions Sprint which was won by Sunshine In Paris who was fifth in that year’s The Everest results.
Champions Sprint 2026 – Quick Information
- Race Day: Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Formerly Known As: VRC Sprint Classic, Darley Classic
- Track Location: Flemington Racecourse
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Left-handed
- Race Distance: 1,200 metres
- Weight Conditions: Weight for age
- Qualification: Three-year-olds and over (excluding maidens)
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 1
- Operator: Victoria Racing Club
- Prize Purse: $3,000,000
- Inaugural Race: 1960
- 2026 Champions Sprint Winner: TBD
Champions Sprint 2026 Results
The official 2026 Champions Sprint results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
- TBD
- TBD
- TBD
Champions Sprint Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the Champions Sprint, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How to Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s Champions Sprint |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s Champions Sprint. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s Champions Sprint. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the Champions Sprint, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend. |
| Quinella Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within the Champions Sprint results, in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the Champions Sprint results to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the Champions Sprint results to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the Champions Sprint results to win the First 4. |
| Quadrella Bet (Quaddie) | You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from the Champions Sprint, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
2026 Champions Sprint Big Bets
How to Bet on the Champions Sprint in 2026
- Log in at neds
- Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
- Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on Champions Sprint Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Which Horse Will Win the Champions Sprint in 2026
The best way to pick which horse will win the Champions Sprint in 2026 is to take into account their lead-up spring racing form, assess the barriers and consider their past record at Flemington down the straight.
Additional factors to consider when picking the Champions Sprint winner include:
- Age – Most winners tend to be four years old or older. No three-year-old has won since Glamour Puss (2005).
- Favourites – Favourites had a poor strike-rate in the event until recent wins by the favourites Bivouac (2020), Nature Strip (2021), and Imperatriz (2023).
- The Everest Lead-Up – The Everest in Sydney is now considered the key form race to follow into the VRC Sprint Classic / Champions Sprint with Redzel (2017) the first to do the double followed by Nature Strip (2021). Sunshine In Parish (5th in 2024) was the last The Everest graduate to win the Champions Sprint. Horses may also run in the previous Saturday’s Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes (1200m) with Glamour Puss (2005) the last to take out both races.
Champions Sprint Favourites 2026
Favourites in Champions Sprint 2026 betting include Ciaron Maher’s brilliant The Everest winning mare Tempted on a six straight winning streak, last year’s third placegetter Joliestar for Chris Waller and talented Blue Point four-year-old mare Point Barrow coming off back-to-back Group 3 wins in easier company.
Redzel ($4 in 2017), ($3.20 in 2020), Nature Strip ($1.28 in 2021), and Imperatriz ($2.15 in 2023) are the latest Champions Sprint favourites to win.
Champions Sprint Field 2026
The official 2026 Champions Sprint field of final acceptances is announced on the Wednesday leading-up to the race, the day after the Melbourne Cup, and will be published in full below.
The 2026 Champions Sprint final field features a dozen class sprinters with Ciaron Maher’s brilliant The Everest winning mare Tempted odds-on favourite to keep the wins coming.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Giga Kick
J: Jamie Mott
T: Clayton Douglas |
20×089 | G | 7 | 58.5kg | |
|
2. Mazu
J: Rachel King
T: Ciaron Maher |
61×102 | G | 11 | 58.5kg | |
|
3. Headwall
J: Ethan Brown
T: Matthew Smith |
1×2542 | G | 6 | 58.5kg | |
|
4. Caballus
J: Blake Shinn
T: Bjorn Baker |
16×573 | G | 8 | 58.5kg | |
|
5. Rey Magnerio
J: William Pike
T: Robbie Griffiths |
x62x54 | G | 12 | 58.5kg | |
|
6. Tempted
J: Chad Schofield
T: Ciaron Maher |
11×111 | M | 9 | 56.5kg | |
|
7. Joliestar
J: James McDonald
T: Chris Waller |
1x3x23 | M | 10 | 56.5kg | |
|
8. Charm Stone
J: Damian Lane
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
x43x34 | M | 3 | 56.5kg | |
|
9. Skybird
J: Ben Melham
T: Mitchell Freedman |
70×615 | M | 1 | 56.5kg | |
|
10. Geegees Mistruth
J: Craig Williams
T: Mark Walker |
1×5582 | M | 5 | 56.5kg | |
|
11. Point Barrow
J: Mark Zahra
T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
15×011 | M | 2 | 56.5kg | |
|
12. Plaintiff
J: Jordan Childs
T: Peter Snowden |
12×498 | M | 4 | 56.5kg |
Champions Sprint Race Day 2026
The 2026 Champions Sprint takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026 as one of the feature races of Flemington’s 2026 VRC Champions Stakes Day program. The other Group status races on the card include the:
- Group 1 $3,000,000 VRC Champions Stakes (2000m),
- Group 1 $3,000,000 Champions Mile (1600m),
- Group 2 $300,000 Matriarch Stakes (2000m), and the
- Group 3 $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m).
VRC Champions Stakes Day in Melbourne takes place on the same date as Sydney’s $1 million Golden Gift race along with the $2 million Five Diamonds event at Rosehill Gardens.
Champions Sprint 2026 Nominations
The 2026 Champions Sprint nominations close the Monday of race week and will be published below in full once released.
The Champions Sprint 2026 nominations are now out attracting 16 talented sprinters led in all-in betting at Ladbrokes by The Everest hero Tempted.
Champions Sprint 2026 Weights
Weight for age conditions apply to this race. 2026 Champions Sprint weights will be declared by 4 PM on the Monday of race week and will be published in our above Champions Sprint Field section.
Champions Sprint 2026 Acceptances
2026 Champions Sprint final acceptances must be declared before 9:30 AM on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in our above Champions Sprint Field section.
Champions Sprint 2026 Riders
Riders must be declared by 1 PM on the Wednesday of race week with the official list of 2026 Champions Sprint jockeys to be published in our above Champions Sprint Field section.
Champions Sprint Scratchings 2026
2026 Champions Sprint scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Champions Sprint Prize Money 2026
The 2026 Champions Sprint prize purse is worth $3,000,000 in total, distributed from places first through to eighth.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,800,000 |
| 2nd | $540,000 |
| 3rd | $270,000 |
| 4th | $135,000 |
| 5th | $75,000 |
| 6th | $60,000 |
| 7th | $60,000 |
| 8th | $60,000 |
Champions Sprint Jockeys
Some of the most memorable VRC Sprint Classic / Champions Sprint jockeys of all time include Hugh Bowman, Damian Browne and Glen Boss. In the past decade, two jockeys have won the Darley Classic twice with Kerrin McEvoy and Ben Melham, while James McDonald enjoyed his third victory in 2021 on Nature Strip.
Mark Zahra aboard Giga Kick in 2025 is the most recent Champions Sprint winning jockey.
Champions Sprint Race Number 2026
The 2026 Champions Sprint race number is scheduled as Flemington Race 6 at 3:50pm (AEDT) on Saturday, November 7, 2026. There are nine races in total that day at Flemington Racecourse.
Champions Sprint 2026 Form Guide
The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2026 Champions Sprint Form Guide following final acceptances.
Champions Sprint Live 2026
You can watch or listen to the 2026 Champions Sprint live, across the following mediums.
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Free to air television: Channel 9
Radio: Radio Sport National
Streaming: Racing.com
Mobile: Neds App
VRC Sprint Classic / Champions Sprint Winners
Winners of the VRC Sprint Classic / Champions Sprint going back to 2004 are displayed in the table below. If you would like to view the full list of winners, going all the way back to 1960, please visit our Champions Sprint Winners page.
| Year | Winner | Trainer/s | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Giga Kick | Clayton Douglas | Mark Zahra | 1:13.30 |
| 2024 | Sunshine In Paris | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | James McDonald | 1:09.25 |
| 2023 | Imperatriz | Mark Walker | Opie Bosson | 1:09.08 |
| 2022 | Roch ‘N’ Horse | Michael Moroney | Jamie Mott | 1:09.19 |
| 2021 | Nature Strip | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1:08.78 |
| 2020 | Bivouac | James Cummings | Glen Boss | 1:08.69 |
| 2019 | Nature Strip | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1:09.23 |
| 2018 | Santa Ana Lane | Anthony Freedman | Mark Zahra | 1:08.66 |
| 2017 | Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 1:08.74 |
| 2016 | Malaguerra | Peter Gelagotis | Ben Melham | 1:10.25 |
| 2015 | Delectation | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1:10.07 |
| 2014 | Terravista | Joseph Pride | Hugh Bowman | 1:08.79 |
| 2013 | Buffering | Robert Heathcote | Damian Browne | 1:10.36 |
| 2012 | Mental | Peter Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 1:09.04 |
| 2011 | Black Caviar | Peter Moody | Luke Nolen | 1:08.32 |
| 2010 | Black Caviar | Peter Moody | Ben Melham | 1:07.96 |
| 2009 | All Silent | Grahame Begg | Nicholas Hall | 1:08.78 |
| 2008 | Swick | Bart Cummings | Michael Rodd | 1:11.05 |
| 2007 | Miss Andretti | Lee Freedman | Craig Newitt | 1:08.93 |
| 2006 | Magnus | Peter Moody | Luke Nolen | 1:08.90 |
| 2005 | Glamour Puss | Danny O’Brien | Steven King | 1:08.92 |
| 2004 | Fastnet Rock | Paul Perry | Glen Boss | 1:09.08 |