The 2024 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick witnessed a stunning upset as Chain Of Lightning, trained by Peter Moody and ridden by Katherine Coleman, stormed to victory in the prestigious Group 1 race.
Chain Of Lightning winning the 2024 TJ Smith Stakes in an upset at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart.
This marked a momentous occasion for both trainer and jockey. Moody secured his 58th Group 1 win, further solidifying his legacy as a champion trainer, while Coleman celebrated her maiden victory at the highest level.
Despite her recent win in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes and a strong showing, Chain Of Lightning entered the race as an underdog amidst a field brimming with star power. However, she silenced the doubters with a dominant performance.
Ridden impeccably by Damian Lane, Chain Of Lightning ($21) settled comfortably in fourth position early on. Maintaining a perfect rhythm, she capitalised on her advantageous position and battled valiantly in the final stretch to secure the coveted win.
The victory was far from a one-horse race. The ever-reliable mare Bella Nipotina, trained by Ciaron Maher, pushed Chain Of Lightning to the limit, finishing a close second despite encountering a pre-race shoeing issue.
Moody’s other contender, last year’s TJ Smith Stakes champion I Wish I Win, finished a respectable third after enduring an uncomfortable wide run throughout the race. Meanwhile, the heavily-favoured Imperatriz, a 10-time Group 1 winner trained by Mark Walker, finished fourth in a tightly contested finish, failing to live up to expectations after showing signs of nervousness before the race.
The 2024 TJ Smith Stakes will be remembered for the emergence of a new champion and the emotional significance of a first-time Group 1 victory for a talented jockey.
2024 TJ Smith Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | CHAIN OF LIGHTNING | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Damian Lane | 2 | 56.5kg | $21 | |||
| 2 | 9 | BELLA NIPOTINA | Ciaron Maher | Craig Williams | 0.31L | 10 | 56.5kg | $11 | ||
| 3 | 1 | I WISH I WIN (NZ) | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | James McDonald | 0.34L | 4 | 58.5kg | $4.20 | ||
| 4 | 8 | IMPERATRIZ | Mark Walker | Opie Bosson | 0.56L | 6 | 56.5kg | $3.50F | ||
| 5 | 11 | SUNSHINE IN PARIS | Annabel Neasham | Jason Collett | 0.7L | 8 | 56.5kg | $6.50 | ||
| 6 | 10 | ESPIONA | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 0.8L | 12 | 56.5kg | $17 | ||
| 7 | 13 | MAGIC TIME | Grahame Begg | Michael Dee | 1.11L | 1 | 56.5kg | $10 | ||
| 8 | 7 | JOHNNY ROCKER | Nick Ryan | Mark Zahra | 2.01L | 3 | 58.5kg | $31 | ||
| 9 | 6 | BUENOS NOCHES | Matthew Smith | Ben Melham | 2.23L | 13 | 58.5kg | $31 | ||
| 10 | 15 | WILLINGA BEAST | Kris Lees | Dylan Gibbons (a) | 2.55L | 5 | 56.5kg | $201 | ||
| 11 | 3 | MAZU | Joseph Pride | Tim Clark | 6.96L | 11 | 58.5kg | $21 | ||
| 12 | 5 | AFT CABIN | James Cummings | Zac Purton | 8.05L | 7 | 58.5kg | $16 | ||
| 13 | 4 | COAL CRUSHER | Joseph Pride | Tyler Schiller | 9.29L | 9 | 58.5kg | $31 | ||
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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