The Mark Walker-trained Imperatriz is tipped to keep her winning streak going when she heads to Flemington for her first look at the famous ‘Straight Six’ as the short-priced favourite in 2023 Champions Sprint betting for Saturday.

2023 Manikato Stakes winner Imperatriz is short-priced favourite to keep the wins coming heading to Flemington for the Champions Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Group 1 $3 million Darley Champions Sprint (1200m) is one of three elite level features on the card at HQ for the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival when Stakes Day takes over on the weekend.

A smart field of in-form sprinters does battle in the six-furlong showdown and the latest Champions Sprint odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au have Imperatriz at a near odds-on quote of $2.

She has won seven of her past eight starts including her past four on the trot at The Valley and all three this spring at her pet track.

Last start the ultra-consistent I Am Invincible five-year-old blitzed her rivals by over three lengths to claim the Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) on October 28.

How she handles the Flemington straight with Opie Bosson in the saddle from gate eight will be key to her chances of extending the picket fence now but.

The big margin last time out and the fact she has won up to a mile suggest she will be fine and the markets reflect that.

The Manikato has been a good guide to the Champions Sprint in recent years however Buffering (2013) was the last to do the double.

The danger occupying the second line of Champions Sprint betting at $4.80 is the James Cummings-trained In Secret fourth-up and fit in gate five with James McDonald in the saddle.

Cummings won the race in2 0202 with Bivouac while J Mac has ridden two of the past four winners with dual victories on Nauture Strip (2019 and 2021).

Godolphin’s four-year-old I Am Invincible mare, In Secret, has a flawless two-from-two record at the track and distance having won the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and Newmarket Handicap here.

The Newmarket in the autumn was her last win but she has been racing in top form in Sydney over the spring including her eye-catching fourth only a length off Think About It in the $20 million The Everest (1200m) on October 14.

Cummings has kept her fresh for her return to Flemington on Saturday and she has been brought on with a good trial on November 3.

The only other runner under $10 for the win at $9.50 is another mare with the Henry Dwyer-trained Asfoora having won two of her three spring starts.

She jumps from gate nine on Saturday with Mitchell Aitken in the saddle of the Flying Artie five-year-old.

Asfoora finished second to Imperatriz in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) two back before her three length romp home at Caulfield in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) last month.

Other notable hopes at more generous odds include Flemington track specialist Star Patrol ($13) who comes off wins in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis and Group 2 Gilgai Stakes at the course and distance, the rails-drawn Bella Nipotina ($12) coming off a return to winning form in Sydney’s $3 million Winners Stakes (1300m), and Chris Waller’s $2 million The Invitation winner last time out Espiona ($12).

The Champions Sprint 2023 is set to run as Flemington Race 6 at 3:50pm (AEDT) with full markets from Ladbrokes.com.au available here.

2023 Champions Sprint Final Field & Barrier Draw

Table Credit: Racing Australia. 

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