National Sprint – 2024

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

Following the early scratching of Meritable, there are 11 runners for the 2024 Seears Workwear National Sprint and they are all geldings. There are two 4YOs, four 6YOs, four 7YOs and an 8YO. Three runners had their last start in an Open Handicap over 1200m at Canberra on 23rd February (won by Demanding Mo) and three in a 3YO+ BM 100 Handicap over 1400m at Rosehill on 24th February (won by Welwal),  while the others came via different races. Trainers Kris Lees, M,W & J Hawkes, Gai Waterhouse & A Bott and Keith Dryden have 2 runners each.

The early favourite is Kinloch who won his first 2 starts when resuming from a spell then ran 9th at his latest after missing the start. Second favourite is Super Helpful who is a last-start winner at this track and distance. Third favourite is Coin Toss who resumes from an 18 week spell. Ucalledit was 3.4 lengths 7th at Rosehill last start, while Superium returns after 13 weeks off. The other runners are currently $11 or longer.

1. Ucalledit (1)

Finished 3.4 lengths 7th in a 3YO+ BM 100 Handicap over 1400m at Rosehill on 24th February (won by Welwal) last start. He’s drawn perfectly and 8 of his 10 wins have been over this distance. Should improve on his last start.

2. Wild Planet (10)

This 8YO is the oldest runner in the race this year. He resumes from a 15 week spell and placed at Randwick when first-up last preparation. He is one of 2 runners for Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes who won this race with Messene in 2014. John Hawkes also won with Make Me A Miracle in 2002. Don’t dismiss.

3. Kinloch (9)

He won his first 2 starts when resuming from a spell (at Sunshine Coast and Rosehill) then ran 9th at Rosehill at his latest after missing the start. Strong chance.

4. Superium (3)

Team Hawkes galloper returning from a 13 week break. In the mix.

5. Super Helpful (7)

A last-start winner at this track and distance resuming after 15 weeks. This horse ran 3rd in the Big Dance back in November and is trained by Barbara Joseph,Paul & Matt Jones. Barbara has trained at Canberra for a very long time and last won this race in 2004 with Ain’t Seen Nothin’. Expect it to be in the finish.

6. Vreneli (11)

Resumed from a 19 week spell to finish 12th over 1400m at Rosehill on 24th February where he pulled up lame in the near foreleg. won second-up last campaign so is not out of it.

7. Coin Toss (2)

Resumes from an 18 week spell and has had 3 trials, running 3rd in one of them. Could surprise.

8. Meritable (12)  – scratched

9. Stonecoat (5)

Having his first start for local trainer Matthew Kelley. Prefer to see.

10. Cognac (6)

Ran 7th of 7 in an Open Handicap over 1200m at Canberra on 23rd February (won by Demanding Mo) at his first run since changing trainer from Joseph Pride to Michael Gatty at Moruya. Will probably be better over further. Prefer others.

11. Demanding Mo (4)

Won an Open Handicap over 1200m at Canberra on 23rd February and won over 1400m at Wagga the start before that. He’s at long odds but is on his home track and is racing in the best form of his career. Trainer Keith Dryden has won this race a few times over his long training career including with Handle The Truth (2021), Tougherthantherest (2018) with Scott Collings, Bacchanal Woman (2009) and Serkelt (2005). Sneaky chance.

12. Fangela (8)

The other Dryden runner who ran a close 2nd to his stablemate last outing and would have won in another stride. Don’t dismiss.

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

Jo Jackson’s Tips
5 Super Helpful
3 Kinloch
12 Fangela
11 Demanding Mo

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	7 Coin Toss
2nd	11 Demanding Mo	2 lengths
3rd	3 Kinloch	2.34 lengths
4th	5 Super Helpful	5.28 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 5.

Scratchings: 1. Ucalledit, 2. Wild Planet, 4. Superium, 8. Meritable.