Many punters
prefer the sprinters to the stayers because sprinters tend to race
more often. Horses that race more often not only become familiar
faces (so to speak) but also become easier factors to consider in
future races. When punters have access to free betting, they tend to
place their bets on sprinters. In Australia, the most famous sprinter
to ever gallop was undoubtedly the undefeated Black Caviar, now in
the broodmare barn.
Sprint races
are also popular with the Australian racing industry. 2015 is an
especially exciting one for sprint racing, as six nations host the
ten races of the Global Sprint Challenge. The racing calendar
features many Group One sprints, with these being the most
prestigious for free bets from a book maker.
Black
Caviar Lightning Stakes
Once just
called the Lightning Stakes, it was renamed to honour (guess who?)
Black Caviar herself. She won the race in 2012. Held at Flemington
Racecourse usually in late February, this $500,000 (AUS) 1000 meter
sprint hosts world-class sprinters. The 2015 edition was won by
Lankan Rupee, a questionable runner for the rest of the year due to
injuries sustained in the 2015 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in
March.
Newmarket
Handicap
First run in
1874, this is another Group One sprinting event at 1200 meters also
held at Flemington but with a purse of $1 (AUS). The handicap tends
to be more interesting than stakes races because weights come into
play during the final few strides. The handicapper's goal is to get
all of the horses to hit the wire together, which can make for some
wildly unpredictable results, such as the 2015 running where the
heavy favorite, Lankan Rupee, ran sixth. Brazen Baeu won.
The BTC
Cup
Run in May at
Doomben Racecourse, this Grade One for three-year-olds and up is
another sprint race where punters use their free bets from a book
maker. There are often full starting gates for this race which makes
the odds juicy. Last year's winner, Famous Seamous, is expected to
try for a repeat win.
AJ Moir
Stakes
First run in
1976, this sprint may not have the largest purse on the calendar, but
it certainly is prestigious. It's also challenging to pick a winner.
Seeing what horse winds up the favourite is nearly as exciting as the
race itself! Run in late September at Moonee Valley Racecourse, this
1200 meter sprint was won by Black Caviar in 2010 and 2011. Last
year's winner, Buffering, may not be able to run this year's running
due to injury.
Darley
Classic
Held in
November at Flemington Racecourse, this prestigious 1200 meter sprint
for three-year-olds and up is also part of the Global Sprint
Challenge. This race, first held in 1868, was previously called the
VRC Sprint Classic and then called the Patinak Farm Classic.
Hopefully, it will still be called the Darley Classic come November.
The purse is a mouthwatering $1 million (AUS.) This is a good race to
use any free betting on as it is a weight-for-age instead of a
handicap or one-weight-only race. Last year's winner, Terravista, may
come back for a second
win in 2015.