The 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival winds down this Saturday, but not before the Group 1 Darley Sprint Classic is run and won down the famous Flemington straight.

Last year’s runner-up Nature Strip is the unbackable short-priced favourite in the small field of nine, but he’ll need to break the hearts of his stablemates as Chris Waller also lines up September Run, Shaquero, and Ranch Hand.

A dash down the Flemington straight is the perfect way to cap off a brilliant Spring Carnival, and we’ve got you covered with analysis on every runner in this year’s Darley Sprint Classic below.

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey James McDonald is looking to cap off a remarkable Carnival aboard six-time Group 1 winner Nature Strip in the Darley Sprint Classic.

Much like Verry Elleegant, J-Mac has built an affinity with Australia’s best sprinter over the last few years, as the pair step out at Flemington on Saturday with unfinished business.

The Chris Waller-trained seven-year-old finished runner-up in this race last year to Bivouac, but it’s no surprise to find him as the short-priced favourite given his list of accomplishments.

Aside from winning the third edition of The Everest last time out, the son of Nicconi is also a five-time winner not only over 1200m, but also at Flemington. From barrier 2 in a small field of nine, he’s impossible to fault.

Streets of Avalon has mixed his form this time in work, but he has been racing well of late and could certainly run a place.

The son of Magnus finished only a length fifth behind Superstorm in the Feehan Stakes two-back at The Valley and was unlucky not to run a place in the Group 1 Moir Stakes back to 1200m.

He doesn’t win out of turn, but the old boy rarely runs a bad race over this journey and has to be respected as a dual Group 1 winner.

Splintex turned in a big effort for fourth over this track and trip in last month’s Group 2 Gilgai Stakes behind the fast-finishing Kementari.

The Snitzel entire has since had a trial at Randwick in between runs and comes in fresh and looking to strike with 2013 Sprint Classic winner Kerrin McEvoy steering.

The wetter the better and his recent form suggests he’s worth a wager each way.

Samizdat is yet to come close to a win since journeying over from Western Australia.

He finished off only fairly in the Linlithgow last week over the track and trip and looks a big query on the short backup.

September Run

September Run has largely been a disappointment since she won the Coolmore last year, but she does have scope for improvement following last week’s effort in the Furphy Sprint.

The Exceed and Excel mare copped some interference down the straight and showed a real fight once clear to run sixth.

She finished only half-a-length off Nature Strip in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington during the autumn and should be plenty fit now for four runs back.

Bella Nipotina

Bella Nipotina is a very consistent type that is yet to run a bad race this prep.

The Maher and Eustace-trained mare has found the money in each of her last six starts and was unlucky to be denied by all-the-way winner Jonker in the Manikato Stakes at The Valley a fortnight ago.

The daughter of Pride of Dubai has twice placed at Flemington in the past and might just give Nature Strip a run for his money if she finds the clear.

Swats That returns on the quick backup following a much-improved effort for fifth in last week’s Furphy Sprint.

The mare by Shamus Award weakened late after racing wide without cover the start prior in what was a total forgive run in the Manikato.

She filled the minors in the Lightning behind Nature Strip back in February and the stable clearly thinks she’s pulled up well.