The Autumn Carnival’s headline sprint is set to feature a particularly talented field this year following the release of forty-eight 2017 TJ Smith Stakes first acceptances this afternoon.

Flying Artie has been included in 2017 TJ Smith Stakes first acceptances. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

A battle of the three-year-olds appears likely after all of Flying Artie, Extreme Choice, Astern and Star Turn were confirmed in 2017 TJ Smith Stakes first acceptances.

Flying Artie has been a strong and consistent performer for Mick Price throughout his entire racing career, but undoubtedly went to another level when he returned as a three-year-old last spring.

Having resumed for a comfortable win in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m), the Artie Schiller colt stormed home to win the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day.

Flying Artie resumed this time for seventh in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) and was ruled out of Saturday’s Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) with a minor lung ailment.

Stable mate Extreme Choice broke through for a maiden win at the highest level in the 2016 edition of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), but was another horse who clearly returned for furnished as a three-year-old when he beat an open field in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) first-up in spring.

Astern showed plenty of ability from the time he debuted for a commanding win at Randwick on debut in late 2015 and capped an impressive two-year-old campaign with a dead-heat win alongside El Divino in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m), during The Championships.

Beating a smart field to the line in the Group 2 The Run To The Rose (1200m) first-up in spring, the son of Medaglia D’Oro posted his maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m).

Running second in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m), Astern was last seen working to the line for second in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Star Turn won both of the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) and Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) most notably in spring and ended the year third in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Having resumed for third in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes, the Star Witness colt appears as though he will be perfectly suited to the conditions of the TJ Smith Stakes.

A number of standout open-age horses have also been confirmed in 2017 TJ Smith Stakes first acceptances, included Fell Swoop and Spieth.

Fell Swoop has been placed at the highest level several times through a consistent autumn carnival campaign in 2016, including a smart second to Chautauqua in the most recent edition of the TJ Smith Stakes.

Having continued to impressive through spring, the son of Not A Single Doubt finished second in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) and ended his year a close third in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m).

Spieth announced himself to the greater Australian racing community when he finished an agonizingly-close second in the Darley Classic in November and resumed this time for second to fellow TJ Smith Stakes first acceptance Terravista in the Lightning Stakes.

Astern and Spieth currently share the top line of early 2017 TJ Smith Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes, at $6 quotes.

2017 TJ Smith Stakes First Acceptances