So many greats have won the Champions Sprint run at Flemington on Saturday.
Nature Strip won it twice and that is enough. Who adds to that in the 2025 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday?
2025 CHAMPIONS SPRINT - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Champions Sprint (VRC Sprint Classic) is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for open class sprinters at Flemington conducted by the Victoria Racing Club.
The Champions Sprint (VRC Sprint Classic) is run over 1200m. It was first run in 1960 and was won by Karina.
Becoming the WFA G1 Sprint of the Flemington Carnival in 2007, the race took the records of old feature Sprint where so many previous winners were sprinters in a handicap.
It has always been run at the six furlongs.
In its previous form it was run as the main sprint on Derby Day but since becoming WFA has been moved to the final day.
The VRC Sprint Classic was a Principal Race until 1979 then Group 1.
It had many sponsor name changes but is registered as the Victoria Racing Club Stakes. It changed to the VRC Sprint Classic again in 2018 and in 2022 became the Champions Sprint.
Be it WFA or handicap, champion sprinters have taken the prize before going on to international success such as Buffering, Black Caviar, Miss Andretti and Takeover Target.
This was Black Caviar's first ever G1 in the 2010 renewal. Ironically she was not ridden by regular rider Luke Nolen but Ben Melham – one of only three jockeys to ride her in races (Jarrad Noske).
Last 3yo to win was Pharein in 1999 and Sunshine In Paris the last mare in 2024.
The inaugural Everest had its first chance to show its form and Redzel did just that taking the double.
In a bit over 12 months, Santa Ana Lane had won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, Goodwood Handicap, Stradbroke Handicap and then this race at the elite level. He'd also take the TJ Smith in the Autumn.
Nature Strip made it three years in a row that the Everest provided the winner as he out sped them. Then Bivouac made it four from four as he powered away in 2020. Just to enhance that Nature Strip came back from his Everest victory and won the race again in 2021.
Roch 'N' Horse won the Newmarket in an upset and repeated the dose at the end of 2022 in this Champions Sprint.
In 2023, Imperatriz had her first go down the straight and won her 6th G1 in her last 9 starts along with 2 x G2s.
The Champions Sprint (VRC Sprint Classic) was worth $3,000,000 in 2025.
Notable winners of the Champions Sprint (VRC Sprint Classic) include Imperatriz (2023), Roch 'N' Horse (2022), Bivouac (2020), Nature Strip (2019/2021), Santa Ana Lane (2018), Redzel (2017), Terravista (2014), Buffering (2013), Black Caviar (2010/2011), Miss Andretti (2007), Dance Hero (2006), Takeover Target (2004), Rubitano (2002), Gold Ace (1996), Hareeba (1994), Planet Ruler (1989/1990), Special (1988), River Rough (1983/1984), Always Welcome (1978), Maybe Mahal (1976), Scamanda (1974), Century (1973), Dual Choice (1970), Vain (1969) and Iga Ninja (1967).
The 2024 Champions Sprint (VRC Sprint Classic) was won by Sunshine In Paris from Right To Party and Bella Nipotina.
