The 2017 T.J. Smith Stakes field has been released and 15 horses have been included in the acceptances for the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Chautauqua is chasing a third straight victory in the T.J. Smith Stakes. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Chautauqua has won the past two editions of the T.J. Smith Stakes and he is back for another tilt at the race after performing well without winning during his 2017 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign.
The Encosta De Lago gelding started his campaign with a fast-finishing third in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on February 11 and he was narrowly denied by Le Romain in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Royal Randwick on March 4 before he finished third behind Winx and Le Romain in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
Chautauqua will not have it his own way in the T.J. Smith Stakes and there are eight horses set to contest the Group 1 event.
Newmarket Handicap winner Redkirk Warrior has been included in the Doncaster Mile field, but Black Caviar Lightning Stakes winner Terravista, Spieth, Voodoo Lad and Tivaci are all set to run in the T.J. Smith Stakes.
Rebel Dane, Japonisme and Rock Magic will all back-up from the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley last Friday night, while Russian Revolution, Fell Swoop and English come out of the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m).
One of the most interesting horses in the 2017 T.J. Smith Stakes is Astern.
Astern has not been seen at the races since he finished second behind Flying Artie in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day, but he has been given three barrier trials in the lead-up to his return to racing.
Another Group 1 winner that will go into the T.J. Smith Stakes fresh is Malaguerra.
Malaguerra started his Autumn campaign with an impressive victory in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on January 27, but he failed to fire in the Group 1 Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) and was sent for a freshen-up.
The 2017 T.J. Smith Stakes field is rounded out by last start winner Derryn and veteran gelding Target In Sight.
The 2017 T.J. Smith Stakes betting market is already available with Ladbrokes.com.au and you can score the best odds for all 15 odds in the field with the leading online bookmaker!