It’s still arguably the most coveted sprint prize in Australian racing, and some of the world’s best will take their place in Saturday’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick.
Nature Strip equalled Chautauqua’s incredible mark of three-consecutive TJ Smith Stakes wins in 2022, but there is no doubt that he faces his sternest test to date in his bid for four this weekend.
Have I put him on top? Check out my complete 2023 TJ Smith Stakes Tips below to find out!
Suggested Bets
- 4 Units straight out #10 Giga Kick
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
TJ Smith Stakes – Winner
Giga Kick has certainly stamped himself as the future of Australian sprinting, and I think that he is just going to prove too good under Zac Purton in the TJ Smith Stakes.
The Scissor Kick gelding stamped himself as one to watch by winning each of his first five career starts last year, peaking in The Everest.
He was luckless in the VRC Sprint Classic and still finished fifth, and he returned a bold effort for third in the Challenge Stakes first-up this time; he was simply too far back in running.
With natural improvement, I think he’ll be winning.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Giga Kick
TJ Smith Stakes – 2nd
He was set for this race after running an absolute bolter first-up in the Black Caviar Lightning, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see I Wish I Win crowned the 2023 TJ Smith Stakes winner.
I Wish I Win was another galloper who announced himself during last year’s Spring Carnival, and he went to the paddock after recording a memorable win in The Golden Eagle.
He hasn’t at his absolute best, but still finished an eye-catching third in the Newmarket Handicap last time out, and I am confident that he steps out this week in peak order.
The wide draw really doesn’t concern me because he’ll get back in running regardless, while jockey Luke Nolen knows him like the back of his hand.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 I Wish I Win
TJ Smith Stakes – 3rd
Are Nature Strip’s best days behind him? Almost certainly, but his bottom line still puts him ahead of most other sprinters in Australia and indeed, the world.
The Nicconi gelding has won plenty of races at the highest level, and he followed up last year’s TJ hat-trick with a win in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
His fresh run in the Black Caviar Lightning was a little below his best, but I like that he has been freshened again, and James McDonald is certainly a huge tick, as always.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Nature Strip
TJ Smith Stakes – 4th
I absolutely love that John O’Shea is electing to run Lost And Running fresh in the TJ, and the $34 about him at publish is over the odds in my opinion.
The Per Incanto gelding has obviously been an excellent horse for the yard since making his debuting, winning nine of seventeen starts and placing a further three times.
Having won three of five and placed another time at this point of his preparation previously, he clearly does his best work earlier in his campaigns, he’ll just need some luck in running from the outside barrier.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Lost And Running
