2024 Belmont Sprint Race Details
Race 8 at Belmont Racecourse on Saturday 18th May 2024.
The Belmont Sprint is a Group 3 race over 1400 metres held at Belmont. It is for two-year-olds and upwards and is run under standard weight-for-age conditions. The total prizemoney is $200,000 this year.
You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the Belmont Sprint page.
Belmont Sprint 2024 Preview
Track: Good Weather: Fine
There is a full field of 16 plus 3 emergencies for the 2024 Furphy Belmont Sprint with 13 geldings, 5 mares and a filly. There is one 3YO, two 4YOs, six 5YOs, four 7YOs and an 8YO. Eleven of them had their last start in the Group 3 Northam Stakes over 1300m at Northam on 5th May (won by Western Empire), and two in The Joey over 1200m at Ascot on 20th April (won by Magnificent Andy), while the rest came via different races. Three runners are sired by Playing God, three by Gingerbread Man and two by Universal Ruler. Grant & Alana Williams have 3 runners and Daniel & Ben Pearce have 2 runners.
The short-priced early favourite is Western Empire who won the Northam Stakes by 2.5 lengths last start. Second favourite is Alsephina who hasn’t raced since 6th in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes over 1800m at Ascot on 9th December. Third favourite is Valour Road who has also not raced since December. Baby Paris was 4th in the Listed Sheila Gwynne Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 27th April. Magnificent Andy finished 4th in the Northam Stakes after winning The Joey, while Triple Missile was 5th in the Northam Stakes. The other runners are currently $25 or longer.
Belmont Sprint Runner by Runner
1. Valour Road (19)
He’s drawn the outside barrier and is the oldest horse in the race this year. Has not raced since December but did win a Listed race first-up here last preparation. Not the worst.
2. Western Empire (15)
Won the Group 3 Northam Stakes over 1300m at Northam by 2.5 lengths on 5th May, beating 10 of the others in this field. Hasn’t raced here before but looks the major hope.
3. Red Can Man (4)
Finished 2nd in this race in 2022. Ran 3rd in the Northam Stakes last start and goes well at this track. Place chance.
4. Marocchino (17)
Hasn’t raced since 9th March and can go well fresh. He’s won 14 of his 55 starts and you should never write him off.
5. Comfort Me (8)
Playing God gelding who loves this track. Was 6th in the Northam Stakes and can place.
6.Triple Missile (6)
Finished 5th in the Northam Stakes. Won his only previous start at this track. Place chance.
7. Mood Swings (16)
Ran 2.5 lengths 2nd to Western Empire in the Northam Stakes and has drawn very wide. Has won at this track before and has ability. In the mix.
8. Let’s Galahvant (2)
Hasn’t showed anything in his 2 starts this preparation but is capable of rapid improvement. Nicely drawn and a sneaky place chance.
9. Magnificent Andy (9)
Finished 4th in the Northam Stakes after winning The Joey. Came through the pack from 12th last start and is one of the main chances.
10. Ginger Baker (3)
Out to a more suitable distance after 2 runs this campaign, and returns to his favourite track. Wouldn’t surprise to see him in the first few home.
11. Phanta (13)
Resumed from a 20 week break for 3.8 lengths 12th in The Joey, and has won a trial since then. He has super form at this track (6 wins and 3 places from 11 starts) and expect a bold showing.
12. Alsephina (7)
Quality mare who hasn’t raced since 6th in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes over 1800m at Ascot on 9th December. Her career record is 9 wins and 5 places from 15 starts. Should be in the finish.
13. Searchin’ Roc’s (1)
Finished 2.8 lengths 9th in The Joey where she raced wide with no cover and had a torrid run. Nicely drawn here and is in the mix.
14. Baby Paris (12)
This 4YO Playing God mare was 0.9 length 4th in the Listed Sheila Gwynne Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 27th April after a win at Ascot first-up. Should go well.
15. The Velvet Queen (10)
Finished 2nd in this race last year. Didn’t run better than 5th in 4 runs last campaign, so prefer to see.
16.Karli’s Karma (14)
Hard mare to follow, but has decent form at this track.
17e. Super Smink (18)
The baby of the field. Drawn very wide and hasn’t raced here before. Prefer others.
18e. Aztec Ruler (5)
Unlikely to get a run but does have great form at this track.
19e. Mojo Rhythm (11)
Not keen.
Belmont Sprint 2024 Tips
The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.
Jo Jackson’s Tips
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2 Western Empire | ||
9 Magnificent Andy | ||
11 Phanta |
Previews for other races this week
Listed Scone Cup 2024 (Scone 1600m) – Friday
Group 1 Doomben 10,000 2024 (Doomben 1200m)
Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic 2024 (Doomben 1200m)
Group 3 Rough Habit Plate 2024 (Doomben 2000m)
Group 3 Chairmans Handicap 2024 (Doomben 2000m)
Listed Members Handicap 2024 (Doomben 1600m)
Listed Bright Shadow Quality 2024 (Doomben 1110m)
Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic 2024 (Scone 1400m)
Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes 2024 (Scone 1100m)
Listed Luskin Star Stakes 2024 (Scone 1300m)
Listed Ortensia Stakes 2024 (Scone 1100m)
Listed Woodlands Stakes 2024 (Scone 1100m)
Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes 2024 (Flemington 2800m)
Listed Straight Six 2024 (Flemington 1200m)
2024 Belmont Sprint Results
Result length | Horse | Margin |
1st | 2 Western Empire | |
2nd | 13 Searchin’ Roc’s | 0.03 length |
3rd | 9 Magnificent Andy | 2.87 lengths |
4th | 5 Comfort Me | 3.16 lengths |
The track was rated as Good 4.
Scratchings: 12. Alsephina, 17e. Super Smink, 18e. Aztec Ruler, 19e. Mojo Rhythm.