Insurrection returns to the 2026 Canterbury Sprint via a different preparation, but trainer Michael Freedman believes the gelding is capable of repeating last year’s New Year’s Day success.

The six-year-old resumes in Thursday’s Listed 1200-metre feature at Canterbury, chasing his first victory since claiming the race twelve months ago.

Insurrection captured the 2025 Canterbury Sprint following a second placing in the Group 3 Razor Sharp Stakes, which itself came on the back of a win in the $300,000 The Warra.

His most recent appearance was a seventh in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes on April 1, after which Freedman opted to give the son of Russian Revolution a lengthy spell.

“He just had a few aches and pains that he was dealing with and we were more or less one step forward, two steps back with him,” Freedman said of the back-end of last preparation.

“So, we just decided to give him a nice, long break and let him go and be a horse for a few months in the paddock, which he did, and I think he’s really enjoyed that and come back with a bit of a fresh body and fresh mindset.”

Insurrection has since underlined his readiness with two strong 850m trials at Randwick Kensington in December, winning the first easily before finishing second under a similarly soft ride.

“It’s probably one of those things where you’d love to it to be maybe 1000 or 1100 rather than the 1200, but just at this time of year there’s simply nothing else around that suits a horse of his rating,” Freedman said.

“He’s had two nice trials going into it, he’s had a nice steady build-up, and I think it’s a nice race for him.

“Whether he’s quite rock-hard fit enough for it against a few race-fit horses remains to be seen, but he’s a very competitive, genuine customer, so I’m sure he’ll give his all.”

Tommy Berry has the mount on Insurrection, who will jump from gate six in a 15-horse field that includes King’s Secret, The Instructor and Zealously.

Markets for the Canterbury Sprint are available via the Australian betting sites list.