Alice Springs horseman Russell Bell is hoping his progressive sprinter Sirbible can earn a Group 1 The Goodwood target in Adelaide next month with a good showing at home this weekend.

A four-year-old son of God’s Own, Sirbible is fighting for favouritism through Ladbrokes.com.au in the markets for Saturday’s $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) at Alice Springs.

Drawn in barrier five for the capacity 12-starter field, the gelding has Wayne Kerford back in the saddle after the pair combined two back to salute over 1200m at Morphettville in late January.

Last time our Sirbible, currently paying $3.10 for Saturday’s assignment, was ridden to victory at the same track / distance as the Pioneer Sprint by Felicia Bergstrand.

“I said to the owners he was probably vulnerable that day, because I thought he was about 80 per cent (fit),” Bell told Racing Ahead on RSN 927.

“He’s certainly not 80 per cent anymore.”

With fitness on his side, Bell believes the bookies have the markets for the Pioneer Sprint spot on.

“I would think that’s probably about his price,” Bell said.

“If you have a look at the field, there’s some pretty handy horses in this field.

“Some of these horses have proven to be pretty handy sprinters and he’s got a serious job to do on Saturday.”

The horse carried 58.5kg to victory that day at weight-for-age, but rises a kilo to 59.5kg this weekend in the handicap clash trailing only the Neil Dyer-trained Action Again (60kg) in the weights.

From six previous starts over the 1200m at Alice Springs Sirbible boasts three wins, two seconds and a third.

It is a gun record he is out to add to on Saturday, his biggest danger according to the bookies being the Gary Clarke-trained Darwin galloper Handsome Tycoon ($3.20) who comes off a win over 1000m by three and a quarter lengths at the track.

All going to plan, Bell would love to see Sirbible salute for the Pioneer Sprint punters on Saturday before targeting a much tougher run in the $500,000 Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville Racecourse on May 21.

“That is the aim – it’s always been on our radar after he went to Melbourne,” Bell confirmed.

“Touch wood, everything is on track.”

Current all-in The Goodwood betting markets are firmly led by the Darren Weir-trained All Aged Stakes runner-up Black Heart Bart ($4).

Sirbible is yet to be added to the futures The Goodwood odds, but is sure to make an appearance should he come out and win well this weekend.

He is no stranger to interstate racing fans, the smart speedster making himself known in Melbourne during the summer with a successful four-start raid at Moonee Valley and Caulfield.

He won twice at the Valley and was third to Tuscan Sling beaten under two lengths in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) on Boxing Day before a 10^th, still less than five lengths off the winner Holler, in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m).

As mentioned, he has won both his subsequent runs and is proving a sprinter to watch ahead of his possible Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival elite level assignment.

To back your favourites in the Red Centre on Saturday and in the upcoming Adelaide Group 1 races make sure you’ve got an account open and ready to go at Ladbrokes.com.au – home of Odds Boost!