Champions Sprint 2026 Betting Tips - Tempted by the Favourite or the Bolter?

Alex Marsh

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Last updated: Wed. 04 Nov. 2026 14:10

Alex Marsh 1 hour ago

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Tempted is favourite for the 2026 Champions Sprint after her Everest win
Point Barrow is a strong each-way chance with proven Flemington straight form
Tempted faces the straight course for the first time, which is a key unknown

Can Point Barrow spring a surprise in Saturday's Champions Sprint? (Getty)

The Champions Sprint brings together some of Australia's leading sprinters at Flemington on Saturday, November 7, with 12 runners set to tackle the famous straight six in the $3 million Group 1 feature.

2026 Champions Sprint Tips
2026 Champions Sprint - Field & Odds

The second of three Group 1 races on Champions Day, the sprint presents an intriguing clash between established stars and emerging talent, with several runners boasting strong Flemington records while others face the straight course for the first time.

The Everest winner Tempted heads the Champions Sprint betting at $1.90 with EliteBet, ahead of Joliestar at $4.40, while Headwall is next in the market at $9.50.

2026 Champions Sprint Tips

2026 Champions Sprint Favourite - Tempted

The $1.50 to $1.60 quotes available earlier in the week looked particularly short for Tempted, but with the mare easing towards $1.90, she's approaching a more reasonable price for Saturday's Champions Sprint. She clearly brings the strongest recent form into the race, although her first appearance down the Flemington straight presents a genuine question, particularly against several established straight-track performers.

Her latest victory was outstanding, overcoming Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising in The Everest at Randwick on October 17, where she demonstrated her tactical versatility by settling off the speed before producing a powerful finish. It was a deserved success in the world's richest turf race, although there was just over three lengths separating first and ninth, highlighting how competitive the contest was despite the calibre of her performance.

That victory extended Tempted's winning streak to six, having gone unbeaten since finishing runner-up in last year's Everest, and her consistency has been exceptional throughout that period. The daughter of Street Boss has developed into one of Australia's premier sprinters, with 1200m firmly established as her preferred distance, while her three-length victory in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes earlier in October reinforced just how well she's returned this preparation.

The straight course is the obvious unknown, but barrier nine looks a positive for a mare making her Flemington debut, particularly given the racing patterns seen earlier in the carnival. Chad Schofield retains the ride, and with Tempted having demonstrated the ability to settle in different positions and respond when asked, there should be enough flexibility to adapt to whatever develops across the straight six.

It's worth remembering that The Everest was her major spring target, and connections now have to produce her again three weeks later following such a demanding assignment. This certainly isn't a foregone conclusion, especially with accomplished rivals capable of exposing any slight regression, but her consistency and recent performances justify favouritism. At the more attractive price now available, Tempted remains the one to beat.

2026 Champions Sprint Best Bet - Point Barrow

An outside barrier would have been ideal for Point Barrow, but even allowing for the low draw, there's an appealing price available about one of the most exciting emerging sprinters in Saturday's Champions Sprint. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained mare has built an excellent record, and after showing flashes of raw ability throughout her previous preparation, she's beginning to put everything together with far greater consistency.

That improvement has been particularly evident this spring, with Point Barrow progressing from a disappointing first-up performance in the Group 1 Moir Stakes to record consecutive Group 3 victories at Caulfield. She captured the How Now Stakes over 1200m on September 19 before producing another powerful late finish to win the Northwood Plume Stakes over the same distance on October 10, reinforcing just how effective she is when allowed to settle and unleash her acceleration.

Both victories came on good ground, which appears important to her chances, and the way she attacked the line suggests there's more improvement to come. She's now won seven of her 12 appearances, including four at Stakes level, an outstanding record for a mare who hasn't always made life easy for herself. The penny appears to have dropped, and she's arriving at this Group 1 assignment in career-best form.

Importantly, Point Barrow is already proven down the Flemington straight, having claimed the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes over 1200m during last year's Melbourne Cup Carnival. She produced an explosive turn of foot to win that race by more than a length, providing a valuable reference for Saturday's assignment. Mark Zahra also knows her well, having partnered her in both recent Caulfield victories, and his association with the Freedman stable is another factor worth respecting.

Barrier two is the obvious drawback, particularly if the runners drawn wider again enjoy an advantage, but Zahra is one of the best riders to have aboard during the Melbourne spring and should be capable of finding the right position. Point Barrow faces her toughest test against the likes of Tempted and Joliestar, yet her current form, proven straight-track credentials and ability to produce a sharp finish make her a genuine knockout chance. At generous each-way odds, she's the runner I'd most like onside outside the favourite.

2026 Champions Sprint - Field & Odds

No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Odds
1	Giga Kick	Clayton Douglas	Jamie Mott	7	58.5kg	$34
2	Mazu	Ciaron Maher	Rachel King	11	58.5kg	$34
3	Headwall	Matthew Smith	Ethan Brown	6	58.5kg	$9.50
4	Caballus	Bjorn Baker	Blake Shinn	8	58.5kg	$15
5	Rey Magnerio	Robbie Griffiths	William Pike	12	58.5kg	$34
6	Tempted	Ciaron Maher	Chad Schofield	9	56.5kg	$1.90
7	Joliestar	Chris Waller	James McDonald	10	56.5kg	$4.40
8	Charm Stone	Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)	Damian Lane	3	56.5kg	$21
9	Skybird	Mitchell Freedman	Ben Melham	1	56.5kg	$26
10	Geegees Mistruth	Mark Walker	Craig Williams	5	56.5kg	$21
11	Point Barrow	Anthony & Sam Freedman	Mark Zahra	2	56.5kg	$21
12	Plaintiff	Peter Snowden	Jordan Childs	4	56.5kg	$101