Team Hawkes and Tyler Schiller have combined with Briasa ($6.50) to claim the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, getting the better of Overpass ($5) in the shadows of the post.
The son of Smart Missile caught the eye first-up in the Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 22, closing off with some impressive closing sectionals against the pattern of the day.
It was the perfect recipe for success heading into this second-up assignment, with the lightly raced four-year-old mapping to get the run of the race from barrier three.
That’s exactly how it unfolded for Briasa on Saturday, with Schiller allowing him to stride into the one-one as Overpass took a comfortable lead under Joshua Parr.
I Am Me () was sent to sit on his outside maintaining a moderate tempo, while Magic Time ($8.50) sat to the inside of the eventual winner in the middle stages.
Headwall () and Jimmysstar ($10) were left to settle in the back-half of the field and get the last crack when turning for home.
Overpass gave a strong kick in the final 300m as Briasa loomed to his outside, while Headwall was poised in behind, waiting to get clear under the urgings of Zac Lloyd.
Headwall was chasing hard, however, the run came too late as Briasa took over in the final 50m, with Overpass refusing to throw in the towel, with the pair producing a grandstand finish of the 2025 T.J. Smith Stakes.
It was all about the winner in the end who chalked up his maiden Group 1 success as Michael Hawkes spoke post-race.
“I don’t know what to say, I really don’t,” said Hawkes.
“I’ve just loved him from day one. I’m just lost for words. This is the moment that we dream of, with a horse like this. We’ve had our ups and downs, we’re not big anymore but we’ve got quality.”
Wayne Hawkes then took over.
“Let me tell you, the horse on the inside (Overpass) is no easy horse to get past,” he said.
“It’s a great race. He’s not Chautauqua, because not many are. But he’s better than Chautauqua though because Chautauqua is not here.
“The other day he had to go back to last and we all saw what happened. Today he was in the one-one, we thought he’d be second, third fourth (in the run). He’s pretty good.
“You saw Swiftfalcon before, where they’re backmarkers it’s so hard to win. And that’s what happened with this bloke in The Galaxy. He would have done this to this lot last week if he’d have drawn the right barrier, but that was last week. This is a good horse’s race, this race.”
Tyler Schiller then spoke as he hopped off the star gelding.
“It makes a difference when you draw a barrier and he’s probably one missing first-up but second-up it’s great to get a barrier,” said Schiller.
“Randwick is more forgiving, and he’s just a very good horse. The Hawkes team have maintained him perfectly, they know how to win this race, especially with a grey, I still don’t know his ceiling but he’s got oodles of talent.
“I’d love to keep going. I’d love to keep adding more Group Ones to the list. And I hope with this horse we can keep a good affiliation going. It’s just great to be in a camp with Team Hawkes. They’re just so supportive.
“I know with Swiftfalcon, not everything went right earlier, but they forgive you for minor stuff ups and then if something major happens, I’m sure they’re happy to move on. But I think it’s been a great 12 months and hopefully we can keep going.”
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