Caulfield Sprint

Winners and Past Results for the Caulfield Sprint

October is peak racing time in Melbourne with the Caulfield Sprint kicking off a series of exciting races leading up to the Melbourne Cup.

The Caulfield Sprint is a Group 2 open race run under handicap conditions at the Caulfield Racecourse during the spring racing carnival.

Hosted by the Melbourne Racing Club, the event attracts prize money worth $200,000 that goes to the fastest sprinter over a distance of 1100 metres. The Caulfield Sprint is held on the last day of the three day carnival on the same day as the Caulfield Cup. While there are plenty of sprint races held during the season, the Caulfield Sprint attracts a quality field of sprinters that may come via the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes or the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. Among the toughest sprinters to blaze the Caulfield track in the event is Toledo, with back to back victories in 1997 and 1998. Jet Spur, winner in 2005, clocked the fastest time of 1:02.1 seconds.

Among the fastest sprinters to win the Caulfield Sprint include Schillaci in 1994, Notoire in 1999, Rubitano in 2002, First Command in 2009, and Sepoy in 2011. Biscayne Bay won the trophy in 2006 and made a comeback in 2008.

The Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse serves as an excellent warm up for the Caulfield Sprint with Sepoy claiming both titles in 2011. Prior to the Manikato Stakes, he won the Danehill Stakes at Flemington and the Vain Stakes at Caulfield.

For punters, winners and placegetters in the Sprint are horses to follow in other weight for age and open handicap races over a similar distance during the Melbourne spring carnival.

The Caulfield Sprint began as a listed race in 1983 with the first title going to Bow Mistress.

It has been run under several different names over the years which include the VATC Schillaci Stakes, MRC Perri Cutten Sprint, and most recently in 2011 as the MRC Tristarc Stakes. Peter Snowden-trained Sepoy, won the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington, scoring five wins in a row after returning from a spell in July. Prior to his spell, the wily sprinter won the Golden Slipper Stakes earlier in April at Rosehill Racecourse. Sepoy and jockey Kerrin McEvoy are a formidable combination to watch out for in the following months with the Elusive Quality colt making his way to the 2012 Dubai Golden Shaheen in March.

For punters, following classy milers that perform well in the Caulfield Guineas can offer them the chance to be on top of their game for the season.

2012 Caulfield Sprint

Howmuchdoyouloveme made it four wins in a row with the highly regarded sprinter turning in a commanding performance. The race favourite jumped keenly and went straight to the lead, with Canali on his outside through the middle stages of the race. Howmuchdoyouloveme enjoyed a nice run through the first 600 metres and when Brenton Avadulla asked for extra effort in the straight, the gelding put a big gap between himself and Canali. Even though he started to tire a little in the last 100 metres, Howmuchdoyouloveme still won by two lengths over a dogged Canali, who just held out Latin News.

2012 Caulfield Sprint result

1. Howmuchdoyouloveme
2. Canali
3. Latin News

Then came:

4. Altar
5. Curtana
6. Freereturn
7. Mid Summer Music
8. Thankgodyou'rehere
9. Green Birdie
10. Stanzout
11. Metallurgical