All Victorian Sprint Final – 2021

Track: Soft Weather: Showers

Thirteen runners have accepted for the $160,000 All Victorian Sprint Series Final and the key lead up race is the OAM Sprint with six of them having their last start in that race.  The early favourite in an open betting race is Hi Stranger.  He stormed down the outside to finish second in the OAM Sprint last start after dropping back from 1600m to 1100m.   Next in the betting is The Astrologist.  He won the OAM Sprint after being well backed and has only missed the placings once from five attempts on his home track.

Insaurian is from the James Cummings yard and is the only horse first up in the race.  Banquo looks a likely improver here second up and has the inform Damian Lane aboard.  William Thomas made his run with Hi Stranger first up but may not be as suited drawn towards the inside in barrier three.  Craig Williams is down to ride Halvorsen but it is not yet known whether he can ride due to spending time in Queensland recently, while Romancer scored here at huge odds first up – but he has two more kilos to carry this time.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Isaurian

Six year old son of Exceed and Excel with an excellent winning strike rate.  He resumes off a good third in an Eagle Farm listed race on boxing day and should get a good run in transit from barrier eight.  Key winning chance.

2. Romancer

Won the Straight Six Handicap here first up at a huge price.  He always races well at Flemington and should only take improvement into this.  Can win again although will be much shorter odds!

3. William Thomas

Hit the line strongly first up here behind the Astrologist and High Stranger.  Looks a likely improver off that and is always competitive at this level.  May just need a touch of luck from an inside gate.

4. Banquo

Another who is second up into this.  He finished his race off okay back to the inside and typically needs the run first up.  The key to him might be drawing towards the outside here.  Damian Lane sticks with him.

5. The Astrologist

Was just fair in his two Queensland runs to begin this campaign, then came to Melbourne and justified the good market support to win the OAM Sprint.  Should settle in the first couple and give them something to catch again here.

6. Albumin

Finished second here behind Sirius Suspect in the Standish Handicap at the start of this campaign and has mixed his form since then.  Roughie with a chance.

7. Halvorsen

Getting deep into his campaign now but likes the straight.  Wouldn’t shock.

8. Hi Stranger

Another who has been up for a while but continues to race well.  He let down very strongly from last off the slow speed here last time and is drawn to attempt the same again.  One of the chances.

9. Midships

Unbeaten at his two starts this campaign.  Latest, he won the Golden Topaz in fast time at Swan Hill.  He keeps improving and is a roughie with a chance.

10. Chicago Cub

Chicago Cub has been given a freshen up since a poor performance here first up.  Happy to watch him here.

11. Rock Prophet

Four year old gelding with a good turn of foot on his day but I would prefer him over shorter.

12. Irish Songs

Trained at Goulburn by Kurt Goldman.  He ran a terrific race behind Romancer three starts ago.  Perhaps back to Flemington could be the key to him.

13. Lowanna Magic

Did enough first up in the wrong section of the track at Sandown, then ran a great second at Swan Hill in a strong benchmark 78.  This is harder but he is going well.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
4. Banquo	4. Banquo
1. Isaurian	3. William Thomas
5. The Astrologist	1. Isaurian
12. Irish Songs	8. Hi Stranger

Group 3 Winx Guineas 2021 (Sunshine Coast 1600m)

Listed VRC Winter Championship Final 2021 (Flemington 1600m)

Listed Taj Rossi Series Final 2021 (Flemington 1600m)

The track was rated as Soft 6.

Scratchings: 9. Midships (NZL), 10. Chicago Cub.

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	5. The Astrologist
2nd	4. Banquo	0.5 length
3rd	3. William Thomas	1.3 length
4th	13. Lowanna Magic	1.4 length