The race is on for the sprint stars this spring heading toward the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s Patinack Farm Classic 2013 with nominations for the million dollar showdown released by Racing Victoria this week.

Moment Of Change is Peter Moody's best 2013 Patinack Farm Classic nominee with the trianer winning in 2010 and 2011 with Black Caviar. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.

Held on Saturday November 9 as part of Flemington’s Emirates Stakes Day action, which brings the four-day Cup Carnival to a close, this year’s Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) attracted a total of 60 nominations.

The event has drawn many of the same entries as the earlier lead-up feature, the $1 million Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) held at Moonee Valley on Friday October 25 including Hong Kong superstar Lucky Nine.

One of the first internationals to arrive at Victoria’s Werribee Quarantine centre yesterday, the Casper Fownes-trained Dubawi six-year-old is by all reports in top condition and ready to show off their class down under.

A four time Group 1 winner in Hong Kong, Lucky Nine scored their fifth elite level last time out when defeating Australia’s Bel Sprinter in the Singapore International Sprint at Kranji in May.

As is the case with the 2013 Manikato Stakes nominations, Jason Warren’s reigning The Galaxy winner Bel Sprinter could get their chance for a rematch with Lucky Nine having also been nominated for the Patinack.

In fact there are a total of 40 sprinters nominated for the Manikato Stakes – Patinack Farm Classic double this year.

Another one of those whose last run was overseas is Danny O’Brien’s Newmarket Handicap champion Shamexpress who failed to make an impression in the UK.

Other Victorian-trained Group 1 winners in the mix for the two big sprints this Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival include Stradbroke Handicap winner Linton who resumes in Friday night’s Moir Stakes, Strategic mare Platelet who scored the Robert Sangster Stakes – The Goodwood double in Adelaide during the autumn and the Peter Moody-trained Moment Of Change.

Leading Melbourne horseman Moody has six other Patinack entries including recent stable acquisitions Fat Al who won last year’s Epsom Handicap and the consistent Strawberry Boy as he vies for his third win in the race in the past four years following the success of super mare Black Caviar in 2010 and 2011.

Like Linton, Moody’s Newmarket runner-up Moment Of Change is also set to run in the $450,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) this weekend which could prove a telling guide for both the upcoming Manikato and Patinack.

Other Patinack Farm Classic nominees facing off in the Moir include Rob Heathcote’s perennial Group 1 placegetter Buffering, the Chris Waller-trained Tattersall’s Tiara winning mare Red Tracer, former Blue Diamond Stakes champ Samaready and the Gerald Ryan-trained Snitzerland.

Also in the mix for the Patinack in November are a number of class three-year-olds including the David Hayes-trained Caulfield Guineas fancy Fast ‘N’ Rocking, Thousand Guineas-bound Gregers and Waller’s Golden Rose winner Zoustar.

Worth a mention too are the likes of Peter Snowden’s Doomben 10,000 winner Epaulette and Better Than Ready prepared in Brisbane by Kelly Schweida.

As for the three sprinters nominated for the Manikato and not the Patinack they are Darley’s Pinwheel, Hidden Warrior and It Is Written.

2013 Patinack Farm Classic first nominations narrowing down the list of sprinters that will square off in the end of spring feature close at midday on October 22.

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2013 Patinack Farm Classic Nominations

Flemington Racecourse – 09/11/2013