Talented sprinter Bel Sprinter will have the opportunity to become the first horse since Grey Receiver to win the The Galaxy (1100m) in back-to-back years after he was included in the nominations for the Group 1 event that will be held at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.

Bel Sprinter produced the best performance of his racing career to win the 2013 The Galaxy in impressive fashion. Photo by: Steve Hart

Bel Sprinter broke through for his maiden win at Group 1 level with a dominant three and a half lengths win over Snitzerland and Decision Time in the 2013 edition of The Galaxy before going on to finish in the placings in both the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) and the Group 1 Krisflyer International Sprint (1200m) in Singapore.

The Bel Esprit gelding started his autumn preparation with a slightly disappointing ninth place finish behind Lankan Rupee in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 22 before returning to his best form with a fast-finishing fourth behind Villa Verde in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick on March 15.

Trainer Jason Warren told RSN this morning that Bel Sprinter was clearly relishing his new environment in Sydney and is hopeful that his star galloper can record his second win at the highest level of racing in The Galaxy this weekend.

“He is kicking along lovely up there at Randwick in the warm weather,” Warren said.

“He really enjoys it up there and he will run this coming Saturday in The Galaxy.

“Hopefully he can pull it off like he did last year; it would be some effort.

“Timing is everything in racing and hopefully it all comes together for us this weekend.”

Bel Sprinter will need to be at his very best to replicate the effort of Grey Receiver in 1982; with some of the most talented sprinters in Australia set to clash in The Galaxy this weekend.

Villa Verde, Snitzerland, Famous Seamus, Whittington, Sessions, Temple Of Boom, Tiger Tees and Satin Shoes will all be backing-up from the Challenge Stakes, while Shamal Wind is expected to return to the races for the first time since she finished seventh in the Oakleigh Plate.

Rounding out the 2014 The Galaxy nominations are last start winner Anatina, New Zealand-trained mare Irish Fling, McCarten Stakes winner Kencella, likely leader Rain Affair and veteran gelding See The World.