Flemington has hosted a similar race, the $500,000 Inglis Dash (1100m), since 2016 but both the Inglis Sprint and the Inglis Dash have been combined in 2022 to bring together a strong group of three-year-olds down the famous Flemington straight.
As many as 20 runners, plus four emergencies, can accept for the March 5 feature.
The two races have a combined honour roll that includes some of the best sprinters of recent times, including Nature Strip, Hellbent, She Will Reign and Fiesta.
Importantly, its new position will allow the Inglis Sprint to serve as a stepping stone to the $1.5 million Group 1 Yulong Stud Newmarket Handicap (1200m) the following week, giving Inglis graduates the chance to race for $2.25 million in prizemoney in the space of seven days.
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Executive General Manager Racing Leigh Jordon says that the Inglis Sprint is the latest milestone in the long-standing partnership between the VRC and Inglis.
“The VRC is proud to partner with Inglis and the Inglis Sprint is another significant step in that journey,” said Mr Jordon. “There have been some terrific winners of the Inglis Dash and the Inglis Sprint and we are excited to play host to Inglis’ leading race for three-year-olds in 2022.
“For a Newmarket Handicap-bound three-year-old, the Inglis Sprint could certainly serve as the perfect lead-up. It comes after weights have been released, meaning that their performance in the Inglis Sprint will not be considered when determining their Newmarket weight.
“Entries for the Newmarket Handicap close on Monday and I am sure we will see plenty of Inglis three-year-olds in there, hoping to race for $2.25 million in the space of a week.”
Inglis today released their catalogue for the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, the culmination of their yearling sale series that also includes the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Image: Nature Strip's first Flemington win came in the Inglis Dash in 2018.
