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TJ Smith Stakes 2016 race preview
01 April 2016 10:41 AM
Race eight on the program is the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes over 1200m. It brings together some of the best thoroughbred sprinters in the country contesting a $2.5 million purse. The Randwick track has dried and was rated a Soft 7 at 3.20pm Thursday afternoon.
Exosphere lost no fans last start when finishing 1.7 lengths behind Chautauqua after taking the inferior part of the straight (winners came down the outside). Unbeaten from two first-up starts. See him getting a nice sit behind the leaders here. Big chance.
Chautauqua was very good last start in the Newmarket. No doubt the even pace and the big weight played it's part in the end. Randwick definitely suits.
English was good late over 1100m last start in the Galaxy when she got back from a wide barrier. Same barrier here but should relish the extra ground. Blake Shinn rides. Will be flying home.
Terravista returned well in the Lightning when just missing. Had excuses last start but not sure we saw her best. Great record over the Randwick 1200m with four wins and a third from five starts.
Flamberge has been excellent this preparation after winning both starts in Group 1 company. First-up win came from barrier 15. His run within 2 lengths of Buffering in the Moir rates well for this too. Chance.
Delectation came back nicely in the Lightning. Uncharacteristically poor in the Newmarket. Capable of figuring in this at his best.
Our Boy Malachi was impressive first-up in the Expressway when winning easily on a slow track. Didn't seem to settle last start. Four wins from four starts on a slow track. Place.
Shiraz ran within a length of English first-up in the Challenge Stakes over 1000m. Finished strong again last start in the Galaxy. Could surprise at odds.
Fell Swoop was good when resuming in the Oakleigh Plate and then okay in the Galaxy. Weight For Age adds a challenge here.
Dothraki hasn't disgraced in his two starts back. First start 2 lengths behind Flamberge came from barrier 17. Expect him to settle towards the front with moderate speed in the race. Could pinch a place.
Rebel Dane came back nicely and looked good running within 1.6 lengths of the winner from his first three runs back. The drop back in distance from a wide barrier may have been a factor when finishing 4.6 lengths behind in the Galaxy. Jumps from barrier 15 here.
Fast 'N' Rocking makes some appeal on the back of his last start where he had fast late sectionals to finish within a length of Flamberge from the back of the field. Not hopeless.
Knoydart resumes with a 1-2-2 record from six first-up starts. Ran 1.2 lengths behind Chautauqua in the Gilgai last Spring. Weight-for-age here.
Famous Seamus is hard to have after two ordinary performances this preparation.
Boss Lane has mixed his form a bit this preparation. Meets a smarter lot here.
1st Exosphere. Found it hard to go past him here. Very talented colt and looks best suited with the speed maps and likely pattern of the race.
2nd Chautauqua.
3rd Shiraz
Mike Steward