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Exciting sprint mare Point Barrow continued her outstanding rise through the ranks with a commanding victory in Saturday’s 2026 Northwood Plume Stakes results at Caulfield, further enhancing her growing reputation as one of the standout female sprinters of the spring and earning a potential shot at the Group 1 $3 million Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Prepared by the Freedman stable, the four-year-old daughter of Blue Point backed up her recent black-type success in style, storming from the rear of the field in the Group 3 $240,000 Northwood Plume Stakes (1200m) under Mark Zahra to score by 1½ lengths over Naifah, with race favourite Bridal Waltz a head away in third.
Starting at $3.10, Point Barrow once again showcased her devastating finishing burst, producing a near-identical performance to her previous victory as Zahra patiently settled the mare near the tail before unleashing her powerful acceleration in the straight. Once angled into clear running, the result looked inevitable as she surged past her rivals to clock 1:09.67 and record her seventh win from just 12 starts.
Co-trainer Anthony Freedman admitted he had concerns about track conditions beforehand but was delighted to see the progressive mare continue her winning momentum.
“I was a bit worried about the track. I didn’t think it was racing (to suit) and so did a few people, but she overcame it the other day,” he told Racing.com.
“She’s a very good talent and we’ve got the key to her now. We’ve just got to find the right race for her.”
Freedman believes understanding Point Barrow’s racing pattern has been crucial to unlocking her potential.
“She is one dimensional. You’ve got to ride her that way. He (Zahra) rides horses like that very well,” he explained.
“I don’t think there’s anyone better at timing a backmarker. He suits her and now she may end up in the Champions Sprint at Flemington though I’m not sure what weight she gets there.
“We’ll have to assess that closer to the time but that looks like a logical race.”
Zahra echoed those sentiments after producing another perfectly timed ride aboard the lightly raced mare.
“Outside barriers actually suit her. You can take your time. She’s a bit of a fizzy filly and back last, there was no one around her,” the senior hoop said.
“It was a little bit of a carbon copy of the other day. I could see what was going on up front. Her turn-of-foot when I was able to angle out, it was like we did no work and in my mind it was game over at the 400 (metre mark).”
The star jockey was particularly impressed by the mare’s explosive acceleration, describing it as one of her greatest assets.
“That’s how you ride her best. She’s had two scenarios like that. The way she’s done it, you go from being last to in front at the furlong,” Zahra added.
“Her turn-of-foot is exhilarating.
“I reckon they can up the bar now and see how she goes.”
The dominant performance further strengthened Point Barrow’s credentials for a tilt at elite-level sprinting riches, with the 2026 Champions Sprint at Flemington on November 7 emerging as the likely next target for connections.
Bookmakers were quick to react to the Caulfield victory, with Ladbrokes trimming Point Barrow’s Champions Sprint 2026 odds from $17 into $9, reflecting growing confidence that the in-form mare can measure up at the highest level.
Champions Sprint 2026 Odds
| 1. Tempted | ||
| 2. Joliestar | ||
| 3. Jigsaw | ||
| 4. Jimmysstar | ||
| 5. Point Barrow |
Already a multiple Group 3 winner this preparation, Point Barrow is rapidly developing into one of the spring’s most exciting sprinting mares, and another performance like Saturday’s Northwood Plume Stakes romp would make her a genuine threat in the Champions Sprint on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
