Champions Sprint Racing Tips - Tempted to cement her standing as nation’s best sprinter

The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old produced one of the performances of the spring when defeating the world's best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, at Randwick and now looks to add another major sprinting prize to her record. 

She has been outstanding in all three runs this preparation, but the straight at Flemington presents a different challenge in what is the first of the three Group One races on Champions Day with the Champions Mile and the Champions Stakes to follow.

Joliestar is the obvious danger after finishing third in The Everest and comes into this third-up, the same stage of her autumn preparation when she took out the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. The Chris Waller-trained mare has proven herself down the Flemington straight, having won last year's Newmarket Handicap (1200m), and should be nearing peak fitness. The pair have drawn alongside one another in barriers nine and 10.

Headwall and Caballus bring the Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) form into the race after finishing second and third respectively. Headwall was also fourth in The Everest and backed up just seven days later to finish runner-up in the Russell Balding Stakes. The Matthew Smith-trained galloper has been remarkably consistent at the highest level without winning for some time, while Caballus continues to race well against quality opposition.

Last year's winner Giga Kick returns to defend his crown after finishing ninth in The Everest, while Skybird is another with proven straight-track form and could appreciate any rain. Point Barrow brings a different form line into the race, having won her past two starts against her own sex, while Charm Stone and Mazu add further depth to a strong sprinting field.

The weather could be a significant factor, with between 3mm and 15mm of rain forecast and temperatures expected to reach just 14 degrees. After a busy week of racing at Flemington, there is some uncertainty about how the track will play, although the earlier straight-track races should provide a guide. The outside barriers may prove advantageous, but much will depend on when the rain arrives.

Mazu looks the likely leader from barrier 11, with Charm Stone and Caballus expected to settle handy. Joliestar and Tempted should be positioned around midfield, giving their respective jockeys options to assess the best part of the track before making their runs. The pair are drawn close together and could be tracking one another throughout.

Point Barrow, Skybird and Giga Kick are expected to settle further back, while Headwall may also be ridden quietly before looking to unleash his finishing sprint. There appears to be enough early speed to ensure a genuine tempo, which should give those settling off the pace their opportunity. The key will be whether the runners gravitate towards the outside or spread across the track.

It is difficult to go past Tempted after her extraordinary victory in The Everest (1200m). The four-year-old has produced huge benchmark figures in all three starts this preparation, culminating in a performance nearly 16 lengths faster than standard when defeating Ka Ying Rising at Randwick. She went for home early in that race, recording the fastest 400m to 200m sectional before showing tremendous determination to hold off the challengers. There is no better form reference than defeating the world's best sprinter, and her ability to race in different positions and adapt to varying race shapes gives her a significant advantage. The Flemington straight is an unknown, but she is a professional mare who continues to improve and there is little reason to suggest she won't handle the challenge. Chad Schofield retains the ride and strikes at just under 20% for the stable, with a 28% profit on investment. She looks the one to beat.

Point Barrow is worth considering at big odds after producing two excellent performances to win her past two starts against her own sex. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained mare has won seven of her 12 career starts and has shown considerable ability, although she is yet to establish herself at this level. She does have winning form down the Flemington straight, having produced a powerful late finish to score over the 1100m on Oaks Day last year when deep into her preparation. Her recent form suggests she is going as well as ever, and a genuinely run race should give her the opportunity to work into contention late. The concern is barrier two, particularly if the outside section of the track proves superior after the week's racing. She may need some luck with her positioning, but at around $21 she appeals as an each-way prospect with the potential to run a much better race than the market suggests.