TJ SMITH STAKES 2020 PREVIEW
RANDWICK RACE 8 – 16:35 AEDT
OPEN
1200m
$1,250,000
SOFT 6
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 41x41 | NATURE STRIP | C WALLER | J B MC DONALD (1) | 58.5 | $3.60 |
| 2 | 151x5 | PIERATA | G HICKMAN | TOMMY BERRY (9) | 58.5 | $8 |
| 3 | 225x6 | SANTA ANA LANE | A FREEDMAN | TIM CLARK (2) | 58.5 | $6 |
| 4 | 38x22 | REDZEL | P & P SNOWDEN | K MCEVOY (3) | 58.5 | $18 |
| 5 | 1324x | TREKKING | JAMES CUMMINGS | J PARR (4) | 58.5 | $21 |
| 6 | 61261 | VEGADAZE | A CUMMINGS | A HYERONIMUS (12) | 58.5 | $81 |
| 7 | 2x613 | BIVOUAC | JAMES CUMMINGS | H BOWMAN (6) | 56.5 | $5 |
| 8 | x93x6 | IN HER TIME | K LEES | B AVDULLA (5) | 56.5 | $34 |
| 9 | 31x66 | EXCEEDANCE | M HAWKES | S CLIPERTON (10) | 56.5 | $13 |
| 10 | 1x773 | TOFANE | M MORONEY | O P BOSSON (8) | 56.5 | $34 |
| 11 | 0x324 | WHITE MOSS | J COYLE | MS K O'HARA (7) | 56.5 | $126 |
| 12 | 12x16 | STANDOUT | G A RYAN | N RAWILLER (11) | 56.5 | $29 |
| 13 | 2x321 | LOVING GABY | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | G BOSS (13) | 54.5 | $6.50 |
OVERVIEW
The TJ Smith always sets up as one of the most exciting races of the year as Australia’s top sprinters face off against each other. Chautauqua has been a notable star in recent years, scoring a three-peat, and whilst he’s not here this year, a quality field has been assembled once more. Will the real Nature Strip show up? Or will the likes of top quality runners; Bivouac, Pierata & Santa Ana Lane be able to steal the show?
SPEED MAP
Expecting this to be a mad dash to the line, as usually is the case when Nature Strip is involved. He’ll more than likely lead them out but might face some competition for the lead through Redzel and Vegadaze. Bivouac looks to get the run of the race behind those, along with In Her Time. Pierata, Standout and Exceedance all map to get back in this field.
KEY RUNNERS
- NATURE STRIP ($3.60)
Will be interesting to see which Nature Strip turns up here. He can be hard to catch, but when he’s on, there’s not many that can get near him. He was poor two back in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes as a $1.45F, however, rebounded last start at Randwick to score a dominant 3L victory.
- SANTA ANA LANE ($6)
Resumed last start at Randwick behind the aforementioned Nature Strip and was beaten a convincing 4.7L. Highly doubt he was wound up there. He’ll be ready to go here and has trialled well since. Expecting a much improved run here and should be in the finish.
- BIVOUAC ($5)
Another one who can be extremely hard to catch, but on his day is right up there with the best. Was unsuited by the track at Caulfield first up when well backed, but followed that up with a dominant win at Flemington in the Newmarket. Was not up to his best last start in the William Reid however.
BLUEY’S PICK
- NATURE STRIP ($3.60)
This looks to be a tricky race and many of these are in with a chance. I’m siding with Nature Strip, who for mine, is the best sprinter in Australia on his day. He can put in a flat performance but his talent is extraordinary and I’m happy to go with the bold frontrunner.
