Champions Sprint Tips - Tentyris to cement standing as new star sprinter

This is the race where legends like Black Caviar, Nature Strip and Imperatriz have stamped their greatness — and in 2025, it’s another stacked field featuring a clash of generations. 

Three-year-old superstar Tentyris backs up from his explosive Coolmore Stud Stakes win, while Joliestar and Giga Kick represent the proven Group 1 class, both boasting elite benchmark figures and a lethal turn of foot. 

Add in resurgent mares Benedetta and Magic Time, plus the likes of Caballus and Tropicus, and you’ve got one of the deepest sprint fields of the season — a perfect way to cap off Cup Week.

The build-up has centred on whether Tentyris can emulate the feats of three-year-olds like Pharein and Bivouac and beat the older horses down the Flemington straight. 

His win in last week’s Coolmore was breathtaking — hampered at the start, blocked at the 400m, and still able to clock a +13.5 lengths faster than standard performance, one of the best figures of the spring. 

He’ll need to repeat those heroics against battle-hardened stars like Giga Kick, who comes off his own +13.8 benchmark Schillaci win, and Joliestar, who was 5th in The Everest and already a Newmarket Handicap winner at the track. Expect fireworks when the gates open — the pure speed here is off the charts.

On the speed map, Tropicus and Flying For Fun look the most likely to drive forward, with Magic Time Libertad and Caballus just behind them. Tentyris and Joliestar should get perfect stalking runs around midfield or further back, while Benedetta and Giga Kick  will be powering home late. The race should set up perfectly for those with acceleration and a clear run from the 300m — though any bias toward the outer lanes could again play into the hands of the closers. Expect a brutal tempo and an explosive finish.

Sticking with Tentyris, the new sprint star who looks ready to take the next step. His Coolmore win wasn’t just dominant — it was historically good, posting one of the highest closing sectionals recorded by a three-year-old this season. He’s held his peak figures at this stage of his prep before, notably winning the Todman Stakes fourth-up in the autumn. The colt’s racing pattern suits Flemington to perfection, he’s drawn ideally to track the speed, and Mark Zahra stays on board. Trainer Anthony Freedman’s decision to back him up is no gamble. If he reproduces anything near last week’s figures, he’ll take a power of beating.

If you’re looking for value, Benedetta is the one who could upset the apple cart. She’s second-up after a tough Schillaci run where she missed the start and was never in it but she did off well. Her second-up improvement profile is strong — she’s lifted her benchmark figure by an average of five lengths at that stage in previous preps — and she loves the straight six. Her 2024 Newmarket run, when she went +17 lengths faster than standard to finish fourth, proves she can mix it with the best down this track. With the blinkers back on, a soft draw in barrier 10, and Jamie Melham aboard fresh off her Cup success, she’s perfectly placed to flash home late at double-figure odds. Tentyris is the real deal — but Benedetta could be the blowout hope that makes this sprint a classic.