The sprinters get set to scorch the turf at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with a quality field of 13 set to line up in the $3 million Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on Day 1 of The Championships.
The weight-for-age feature has attracted a stellar field of seven previous Group 1 winners, including the Chris Waller-trained Joliestar currently holding the call at $3.50 with .
The Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner returns to Sydney after a dominant display down the Flemington straight and retains the services of star hoop Damien Lane.
Briasa flashed home against the pattern of the day at Rosehill on March 22, finishing fifth behind Private Harry in the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) last time out.
The son of Smart Missile is the big firmer at $4.50 with after securing barrier three; however, he will need to carry the burden of an extra 4kg under weight-for-age conditions.
Overpass is on the third line of betting at $7 with and returns as the main speed influence in the race, with a lack of tempo a concern for some key rivals as the Bjorn Baker-trained gelding prepares for another trip to Western Australia for The Quokka (1200m).
Sunshine In Paris ($7) and Jimmysstar ($8) are the only other runners holding single figures, while the likes of Yulong pair Magic Time ($11) and Kimochi represent good value with online betting sites.
The chances don’t end there in what’s shaping up to be a wide-open edition of the TJ Smith Stakes.
2025 TJ Smith Stakes Final Field
1. Overpass (2)
- T: Bjorn Baker
- J: Joshua Parr
- W: 58.5kg
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Vancouver
- Dam: Walkway
+150
2. Jimmysstar (9)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Ethan Brown
- W: 58.5kg
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Per Incanto (USA)
- Dam: Anniesstar (NZ)
+175
3. Jedibeel (8)
- T: Brad Widdup
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 58.5kg
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay or Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Savabeel
- Dam: Starry (NZ)
+2500
4. Headwall (7)
- T: Matthew Smith
- J: Zac Lloyd
- W: 58.5kg
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Dream Ahead (USA)
- Dam: Positive Quest
+625
5. Briasa (3)
- T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes
- J: Tyler Schiller
- W: 58.5kg
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Grey-bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Smart Missile
- Dam: Mary’s Grace
-125
6. Sunshine In Paris (11)
- T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald
- J: Chad Schofield
- W: 56.5kg
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Invader
- Dam: Zenaida (NZ)
+150
7. Joliestar (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Damian Lane
- W: 56.5kg
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Zoustar
- Dam: Jolie Bay
-153.85
8. Magic Time (1)
- T: Grahame Begg
- J: Jordan Childs
- W: 56.5kg
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Hellbent
- Dam: Time Awaits
+250
9. I Am Me (6)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Tim Clark
- W: 56.5kg
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: I Am Invincible
- Dam: Mefnooda
+1250
10. Kimochi (13)
- T: Gary Portelli
- J: Nash Rawiller
- W: 56.5kg
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Brave Smash (JPN)
- Dam: Summer Fun
+500
11. Switzerland (5)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Ryan Moore
- W: 56.5kg
- Age: 3YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Colt
- Sire: Snitzel
- Dam: Ms Bad Behavior (CAN)
+350
12. Traffic Warden (12)
- T: James Cummings
- J: Blake Shinn
- W: 56.5kg
- Age: 3YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Colt
- Sire: Street Boss (USA)
- Dam: Efficiently
+500
13. Shezanalister (10)
- T: Bjorn Baker
- J: Ms Rachel King
- W: 56.5kg
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Star Turn
- Dam: Filomena’s Grace
+2500
Horse racing news
