The VRC Champions Sprint runs on Champions Stakes Day, as part of the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington Racecourse each November.
2024 Champions Sprint Results
- 1st: #6 Sunshine In Paris
- 2nd: #9 Right To Party
- 3rd: #5 Bella Nipotina
Champions Sprint Results News
2024 Champions Sprint Results
- 1st: #6 Sunshine In Paris ($5)
- 2nd: #9 Right To Party
- 3rd: #5 Bella Nipotina
The Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained Invader mare Sunshine In Paris ($5) was given a terrific run down the famous Flemington straight by James McDonald to charge home late with a driving finish to salute in the 2024 Champions Sprint results on Stakes Day. Right To Party ran second at big odds while The Everest – Russell Balding Stakes double winning mare Bella Nipotina was brave in third as the beaten favourite.
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Champions Sprint 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
6. Sunshine In Paris (9)
J: James McDonald 56.5kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
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|
2nd
9. Right To Party (3)
J: Jye McNeil 56.5kg
T: A & S Freedman |
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|
3rd
5. Bella Nipotina (12)
J: Craig Williams 56.5kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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|
4th
10. Stretan Angel (5)
J: Luke Nolen 56.5kg
T: Phillip Stokes |
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5th
11. Private Life (8)
J: Damian Lane 53.5kg
T: Chris Waller |
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|
6th
4. Baraqiel (1)
J: Ben Allen 58.5kg
T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |
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7th
1. Giga Kick (7)
J: Mark Zahra 58.5kg
T: Clayton Douglas |
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|
8th
2. Overpass (2)
J: Josh Parr 58.5kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
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9th
8. Estriella (4)
J: Ben Melham 56.5kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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10th
7. Lady Laguna (6)
J: Nash Rawiller 56.5kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
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|
11th
12. Bellatrix Star (10)
J: Michael Dee 51.5kg
T: Mark Walker |
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12th
3. I Am Unstoppable (11)
J: Dylan Browne McMonagle 58.5kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
Data retrieved: 24/11/2024 02:08:35 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
The VRC Champions Sprint – formerly run as the VRC Sprint Classic – is one of the feature races of Champions Stakes Day at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. While the race has changed it’s name and distance numerous times over the years, it has been won by some of the greats of Australian horse racing including the mighty Phar Lap back in 1930, and two-time champ Black Caviar in 2010 and 2011.
The VRC Champions Sprint is now currently worth $3,000,000 as of 2022 and is one of the top sprint events held during the Spring Racing Carnival. Over the years the top sprint stars have featured in the VRC Sprint Classic / Champions Sprint results.
VRC Sprint Classic / Champions Sprint Winners & Results
Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic / Champions Sprint results, winners and winning times since 2000 are shown below.
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Champions Sprint |
1st | Sunshine In Paris | 1 minute 9.25 seconds |
| 2nd | Right To Party | ||
| 3rd | Bella Nipotina | ||
| 2023 Champions Sprint |
1st | Imperatriz | 1 minute 9.08 seconds |
| 2nd | Buenos Noches | ||
| 3rd | In Secret | ||
| 2022 Champions Sprint |
1st | Roch ‘N’ Horse | 1 minute 9.19 seconds |
| 2nd | Nature Strip | ||
| 3rd | Baller | ||
| 2021 VRC Sprint Classic |
1st | Nature Strip | 1 minute 8.78 seconds |
| 2nd | Swats That | ||
| 3rd | Bella Nipotina | ||
| 2020 VRC Sprint Classic |
1st | Bivouac | 1 minute 8.69 seconds |
| 2nd | Nature Strip | ||
| 3rd | Libertini | ||
| 2019 VRC Sprint Classic |
1st | Nature Strip | 1 minute 9.23 seconds |
| 2nd | Loving Gaby | ||
| 3rd | In Her Time | ||
| 2018 VRC Sprint Classic |
1st | Santa Ana Lane | 1 minute 8.6 seconds |
| 2nd | In Her Time | ||
| 3rd | DH: Pierata, Jungle Cat | ||
| 2017 Darley Classic |
1st | Redzel | 1 minute 8.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Terravista | ||
| 3rd | Impending | ||
| 2016 Darley Classic |
1st | Malaguerra | 1 minute 10.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Spieth | ||
| 3rd | Fell Swoop | ||
| 2015 Darley Classic |
1st | Delectation | 1 minute 10.07 seconds |
| 2nd | Chautauqua | ||
| 3rd | Terravista | ||
| 2014 Darley Classic |
1st | Terravista | 1 minute 8.79 seconds |
| 2nd | Chautauqua | ||
| 3rd | Lankan Rupee | ||
| 2013 VRC Sprint Classic |
1st | Buffering | 1 minute 10.36 seconds |
| 2nd | Shamexpress | ||
| 3rd | Moment Of Change | ||
| 2012 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | Mental | 1 minute 09.04 seconds |
| 2nd | Sea Siren | ||
| 3rd | Hallowell Belle | ||
| 2011 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | Black Caviar | 1 minute 08.32 seconds |
| 2nd | Buffering | ||
| 3rd | Mid Summer Music | ||
| 2010 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | Black Caviar | 1 minute 07.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Star Witness | ||
| 3rd | Ortensia | ||
| 2009 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | All Silent | 1 minute 8.78 seconds |
| 2nd | Wanted | ||
| 3rd | Bank Robber | ||
| 2008 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | Swick | 1 minute 11 seconds |
| 2nd | Turffontein | ||
| 3rd | Sunburnt Land | ||
| 2007 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | Miss Andretti | 1 minute 8.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Gold Edition | ||
| 3rd | Stanzout | ||
| 2006 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | Dance Hero | 1 minute 8.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Shadoways | ||
| 3rd | Miss Andretti | ||
| 2005 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | Glamour Puss | 1 minute 8.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Barely A Moment | ||
| 3rd | Cape Of Good Hope | ||
| 2004 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | Takeover Target | 1 minute 8.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Recurring | ||
| 3rd | St Basil | ||
| 2003 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | Ancient Song | 1 minute 11 seconds |
| 2nd | Into The Night | ||
| 3rd | Blessum | ||
| 2002 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | Rubitano | 1 minute 7.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Intelligent Star | ||
| 3rd | Cosmic Strike | ||
| 2001 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | Sudurka | 1 minute 8.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Hire | ||
| 3rd | Camena | ||
| 2000 Patinack Farm Classic |
1st | Easy Rocking | 1 minute 10 seconds |
| 2nd | Umrum | ||
| 3rd | Tilt The Scales | ||
Race comments
The first of three outstanding Group 1 races. It's hard to go past BELLA NIPOTINA (5) who is in career best form, tough when wide throughout to win The Everest two back before getting a sweet trail and coming away to win easily last time. Small query is her record down the straight, but she's been an absolute marvel of late and looks a fair gamble. OVERPASS (2) was a very strong winner of the G2 Sydney Stakes first-up and arguably would've gone close in The Everest, winning in quicker time than that race. GIGA KICK (1) was excellent third-up in The Everest when charging into 2nd behind Bella. He's a proven straight track performer who looks back to something like his best. SUNSHINE IN PARIS (6) is a classy mare who could suit the straight. BARAQIEL (4) can acquit himself well off a strong G2 win.