Point Barrow causes upset in Champions Sprint

A four-year-old mare with a blistering turn of foot emerged victorious in Saturday's Champions Sprint at Flemington, proving to be the surprise package of the race.

Point Barrow secured a significant Group 1 victory in the $3 million 1200-metre contest, which featured Tempted, a mare who had only three weeks prior unseated Ka Ying Rising from the top spot in the $20 million The Everest.

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Point Barrow outfinished Plaintiff and Skybird in an all-female finish to the first of the day's three Group 1 races, a result that brought considerable pride to the stable.

“She's a good mare and I had good confidence coming into the race, albeit with Tempted in the field,” Anthony Freedman stated. “She's been a bloody good mare for a while and it's been a long time coming. I'm glad she's got the win at the top level.”

The daughter of Blue Point extended her impressive winning streak to three, following two commanding Group 3 wins at Caulfield. Under the guidance of Mark Zahra, she demonstrated her class with a late surge, marking her eighth career win from just 13 starts.

Point Barrow, sent off at $18, triumphed by a neck over Plaintiff, a $101 outsider who briefly appeared to have the race won in the final 100 metres. Skybird ($31) followed closely, finishing a short-half-head behind in third.

Tempted, the $1.70 favourite and seeking a sixth consecutive win, enjoyed a favourable position towards the outside of the field and seemed poised to win when presented at the 300m mark, but ultimately struggled in the latter stages, finishing fifth.

This victory marked the third Champions Sprint win for jockey Mark Zahra, and his second consecutive win after last year's success aboard Giga Kick. The champion rider was pleased with how the gaps opened up when needed.

“The thing in my favour was that we were an outsider and no one really cared about me,” Zahra commented. “I drew in and just wanted to be slow away, which I was, and get to the outside and following Tempted.

“I didn't like it right out wide on the track, so I didn't want to continue to follow, and when they went out, I waited for a gap, which was just inside, which I think is better. When I burst through she had a real crack and pinned the ears back late. It was a good win.”

While the Champions Sprint represented Tempted's first experience of the Flemington straight and was intended as a test for an international campaign next year, rider Chad Schofield indicated that despite being pushed wider than he preferred, he suspected the mare had expended her best efforts at Randwick.

“She's obviously had a long, successful preparation but it has come to an end,” Schofield said.

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