The 2024 TJ Smith Stakes, a highlight of “The Championships,” promises a thrilling clash of sprinters this Saturday at Royal Randwick.
Imperatriz is narrow favourite to extend her Group 1 tally to 11 this weekend in Sydney’s 2024 TJ Smith Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The $3 million Group 1 race (1200m) features a field of fifteen elite short-distance horses.
Mark Walker‘s exceptional mare Imperatriz headlines the field as the narrow $3 favourite at Ladbrokes.
The I Am Invincible five-year-old boasts a remarkable record, having won ten Group 1 races to date.
While Moonee Valley might be her happy hunting ground, her sheer class makes her a force to be reckoned with.
Opie Bosson stays aboard Imperatriz, who has drawn well in barrier six.
Last year’s winner, I Wish I Win, is the main danger at $3.60.
Trained by Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman and partnered by big race specialist James McDonald, this Savabeel gelding has a strong fresh record and looks poised for a successful title defence.
Drawn barrier four, I Wish I Win aims to become the latest horse to achieve multiple wins in the TJ Smith Stakes since three-time champions Chautauqua (2015-17) and Nature Strip (2020-22).
Several other horses have the potential to cause an upset.
Annabel Neasham‘s consistent mare Sunshine In Paris ($8) is a reliable contender with a good record at Randwick and a step-up in distance to suit.
Chris Waller‘s Espiona ($11) is another to watch.
Drawn a wide barrier (13), she is seeking her first win in the race but comes in fit after a string of placings.
Trainer Joe Pride has three runners, including last year’s third-place finisher Mazu.
Witness top-flight sprinting at its finest! The 2024 TJ Smith Stakes takes place at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
2024 TJ Smith Stakes Field
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51x231x32x | I WISH I WIN (NZ) | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | James McDonald | 4 | 58.5kg | 117 | ||
| 2 | 05x132x260 | PRIVATE EYE | Joseph Pride | Blake Shinn | 14 | 58.5kg | 112 | ||
| 3 | 363x9054x5 | MAZU | Joseph Pride | Tim Clark | 12 | 58.5kg | 109 | ||
| 4 | x3441x2545 | COAL CRUSHER | Joseph Pride | Tyler Schiller | 10 | 58.5kg | 108 | ||
| 5 | x154149x30 | AFT CABIN | James Cummings | Zac Purton | 8 | 58.5kg | 106 | ||
| 6 | 7x1382x490 | BUENOS NOCHES | Matthew Smith | Ben Melham | 15 | 58.5kg | 106 | ||
| 7 | 7x244x2712 | JOHNNY ROCKER | Nick Ryan | Mark Zahra | 3 | 58.5kg | 106 | ||
| 8 | 1x1111x121 | IMPERATRIZ | Mark Walker | Opie Bosson | 6 | 56.5kg | 119 | ||
| 9 | x33315x454 | BELLA NIPOTINA | Ciaron Maher | Craig Williams | 11 | 56.5kg | 113 | ||
| 10 | 7x21714x33 | ESPIONA | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 13 | 56.5kg | 113 | ||
| 11 | 13121x1x2 | SUNSHINE IN PARIS | Annabel Neasham | Jason Collett | 9 | 56.5kg | 111 | ||
| 12 | x11350x610 | CYLINDER | James Cummings | Ms Jamie Kah | 7 | 56.5kg | 109 | ||
| 13 | x13x5131x6 | MAGIC TIME | Grahame Begg | Michael Dee | 1 | 56.5kg | 109 | ||
| 14 | 464x370x01 | CHAIN OF LIGHTNING | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Damian Lane | 2 | 56.5kg | 106 | ||
| 15 | x5x46555x2 | WILLINGA BEAST | Kris Lees | Dylan Gibbons (a) | 5 | 56.5kg | 83 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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