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TJ Smith Stakes Tips - Who will win the Randwick Group 1 sprint?
- Runner-by-Runner Guide to TJ Smith Stakes
- Who will take out the Rosehill Group 1?
- Can Imperatriz be beaten?
Expired

Sunshine In Paris is an each-way quote in the 2024 TJ Smith Stakes. (Getty)
The premier sprint race during the Sydney autumn carnival is the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes run over 1200m at Randwick under weight-for-age conditions.
First run in 1997, the race has been won by some champion sprinters including Apache Cat (2008), Black Caviar (2011,13) and Chautauqua (2015,16,17).
We’ve done our homework and offer our thoughts and betting plays for the 2024 edition below.
Use the Picklebet Cash Back offer to get $25 back if your bet on the race loses.
1. I Wish I Win (4)
We haven’t seen the 2023 TJ Smith winner since he finished second to Think About It in The Everest in October as Peter Moody makes an assault on the winter carnival with his star sprinter.
He has incredibly been unplaced just twice in his 18 start career and never over 1200m.
Won this race on a heavy track last year and is arguably a better horse if the rain comes.
2. Private Eye (14)
Finished within a head of Imperatriz first up from a spell down the Flemington straight when ridden right up on the pace and then settled right back over the same distance here at Randwick second up to finish sixth.
Was never in the race last start when three wide the entire trip and I’m glad he gets out to 1200m now.
3. Mazu (12)
The owners decided to move their horse away from the Snowden team and into the care of Joe Pride for this campaign and he was far from disgraced behind Passive Aggressive first up over 1000m.
Constantly in search of a heavy track, they may just get their wish on Saturday and if that is the case he is a place chance.
4. Coal Crusher (10)
Found one better in the form of King Of Sparta first up at this track and distance and has been excellent in all three runs since.
Has won four times from seven runs on a heavy track so he’s one praying for the down fall of rain.
5. Aft Cabin (8)
Was luckless when resuming here at Randwick over 1000m but disappointed in the Group 1 Galaxy when weighted well.
This is a tougher ask at weight-for-age but is another that will appreciate the rain affected going.
6. Buenos Noches (15)
Finished within half a length of Imperatriz in the Champions Sprinter down the Flemington straight during the spring but has failed to repeat that spike rating this prep.
Would need to find that form to be any chance especially under weight-for-age conditions.
7. Johnny Rocker (3)
Produced the run of his short career when giving a sight in the William Reid at $101 despite finishing second.
Can he produce that again? I’m doubtful.
8. Imperatriz (6)
What more is there to say about this champion mare that hasn’t already been said?
The 10 time Group 1 winner continues to get the job done when asked and her only defeat this prep came when being asked to carry an enormous weight in the Newmarket, a race she still managed to finish second in.
She has won twice from four attempts on a heavy track and has drawn to get a soft run in transit from barrier six.
9. Bella Nipotina (11)
Has failed to place so far this prep from three runs, something she has done 28 times from 46 career starts but she has been far from disgraced.
All three of those starts have been at the highest level and it’s impossible to get that Manikato Stakes win out of our head on a heavy track.
I wouldn’t be discounting her.
10. Espiona (13)
Has been kept fresh for this race after two placings from two attempts this prep, the latest over 1300m behind Lady Laguna.
I love that they gave her a trial in between runs and if she gets some speed on up front, look for her late.
11. Sunshine In Paris (9)
Only a lightly raced four year-old mare who has managed four wins from just seven career race starts including a win over Group 1 winners Espiona and Zapateo last campaign.
Made up a huge amount of ground late in The Galaxy first up to just miss and she’ll take plenty of benefit out of that run.
I’m not sure where the ceiling in for this mare but it’s high.
12. Cylinder (7)
Secured a very deserving Group 1 victory in the Newmarket after performing very consistently against his own age group.
Godolphin has placed this colt very well this prep making him a valuable horse but I’m not sure he’s suited to this race in particular.
13. Magic Time (1)
Was well supported first up in the Newmarket handicap and while she finished sixth, was far from disgraced beaten 2.3 lengths.
She’s a mare with plenty of upside evident in the fact she’s won five times from just nine starts including the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke.
Watch betting.
14. Chain Of Lightning (2)
Peter Moody has decided to give his grey filly another shot at a Group 1 after an impressive win last weekend at Rosehill.
She’s failed to place from eight starts at the highest level so I prefer others.
15. Willinga Beast (5)
Was beaten in a class 5 at Gosford last start so would need to improve dramatically to be any chance.
Verdict
SELECTIONS
1st: No. 11 Sunshine In Paris
2nd: No. 1 I Wish I Win
3rd: No. 8 Imperatriz
4th: No. 9 Bella Nipotina
1st: No. 11 Sunshine In Paris
2nd: No. 1 I Wish I Win
3rd: No. 8 Imperatriz
4th: No. 9 Bella Nipotina
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