A four-year-old mare with a potent turn of foot was the unexpected victor in Saturday’s Champions Sprint at Flemington.
Point Barrow delivered a Group 1 shock in the $3 million 1200-metre race, which featured Tempted, a mare who had only three weeks prior dethroned Ka Ying Rising in the $20 million The Everest.
Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Point Barrow defeated Plaintiff and Skybird in an all-mare finish to the day’s first Group 1 race, a result that was a proud moment for the stable.
“She’s a good mare and I had good confidence coming into the race, albeit with Tempted in the field,” he said. “She’s been a bloody good mare for a while and it’s been a long time coming. I’m glad she’s got the win at the top level.”
The daughter of Blue Point made it three wins on the trot, following two decisive Group 3 wins at Caulfield. She produced her eighth win from 13 starts under Mark Zahra with a spectacular late surge.
Point Barrow, a $18 outsider, triumphed by a neck over Plaintiff, the $101 chance who momentarily seemed destined for victory inside the final 100 metres. Skybird ($31) was a short-half-head behind in third.
Tempted, the $1.70 favourite aiming for a sixth straight victory, had a good run towards the outside and appeared set to win when presented at the 300m mark, but laboured in the closing stages to finish fifth.
This was Zahra’s third Champions Sprint victory, and his second consecutively after last year’s win on Giga Kick. The champion jockey was pleased with how the gaps appeared when they did.
“The thing in my favour was that we were an outsider and no one really cared about me,” he said. “I drew in and just wanted to be slow away, which I was, and get to the outside and following Tempted.
“I didn’t like it right out wide on the track, so I didn’t want to continue to follow, and when they went out, I waited for a gap, which was just inside, which I think is better. When I burst through she had a real crack and pinned the ears back late. It was a good win.”
The Champions Sprint was Tempted’s first foray down the Flemington straight and was intended as a test for an overseas campaign next year. However, rider Chad Schofield commented that although she was taken wider than he would have liked, he suspected she had expended her best efforts at Randwick.
“She’s obviously had a long, successful preparation but it has come to an end,” he said.
Betting markets for the Champions Sprint are available at betting sites.
