The 2013 VRC Sprint Classic is set to be one of the races of the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival; with a number of Australia’s leading sprinters taking on Hong Kong superstar Lucky Nine.

The absence of Black Caviar has really opened up the sprint races this season, with Samaready taking out the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) and Buffering the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), but there has been plenty of support for five-time Group 1 winner Lucky Nine in 2013 VRC Sprint Classic betting markets.

Lucky Nine finished a narrow second behind Buffering in the Manikato Stakes and trainer Caspar Fownes said before the Dubawi gelding made his Australian racing debut that he would not reach peak fitness until the VRC Sprint Classic.

The classy gelding is now available at 2013 VRC Sprint Classic odds of $3.80 and is a clear favourite from Buffering ($7.50), two-time Group 1 winning mare Platelet ($9.50), Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Rebel Dane ($10) and Peter Moody-trained Moment Of Change ($10).

Can Lucky Nine record his first race win in Australia or will a locally-trained hope stake their claim for the title of the best sprinter in the land?

2013 VRC Sprint Classic Tips

1st

#3 Epaulette ($12)

Epaulette produced an extremely poor performance in the Group 1 Moir Stakes but trainer Peter Snowden could not find any problems with the Commands entire and put the disappointing effort down to the tight-turning Moonee Valley circuit.

The four-year-old has been freshened specifically for the VRC Sprint Classic and ran extremely well down the Flemington straight in a jump-out at the end of November.

Epaulette has been victorious at Group 1 level in the 2012 Golden Rose (1400m) and 2013 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) and a horse of his quality is excellent value at $12.

2nd

#2 Buffering ($7.50)

The tough gelding finally broke through for a maiden victory at Group 1 level in the Manikato Stakes and is an excellent chance to make it back-to-back wins when he contests the VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington tomorrow.

Buffering has never been successful down the Flemington straight but was placed behind Black Caviar in the 2011 Patinack Farm Classic, finished behind Black Caviar and Hay List in the 2012 Lightning Stakes (1000m) and second behind Hay List in the 2012 Newmarket Handicap (1200m).

3rd

#9 Rebel Dane ($10)

Rebel Dane struggled when he made his debut down the Flemington straight in the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) earlier this spring but trainer Gary Portelli is confident that the California Dane entire learnt from his experience and will be better ridden towards the tail of the field.

The four-year-old won the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in August and he was arguably the run of the race when he flashed home late to finish fifth in the Manikato Stakes after being trapped wide for the majority of the race.

Rebel Dane has been one of the best backed runners in 2013 VRC Sprint Classic betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au but is still available at the generous quote of $10.

There is plenty of value on offer in the 2013 VRC Sprint classic betting market and you can find the best prices at Ladbrokes.com.au!

New customers who sign-up this weekend will receive a free bet worth up to $500 that can be used to back Rebel Dane or any other runner in the field!