TJ Smith Stakes 2023

In a hurry? We’ve listed all the quick facts that you need to know about the TJ Smith Stakes:

The TJ Smith Stakes is a Group 1 race which takes place each year in late March / early April. The race in 2023 will be held on Saturday 1st of April at Randwick Racecourse. Looking back to the race in 2022, it was won by Nature Strip.

First run in 1997 as the Endeavour Stakes and a Listed race, this event started with a big name winner when the Lloyd Williams and Kerry Packer owned Mahogany saluted in the inaugural running.

The race quickly rose in prestige and the race was renamed to the TJ Smith in 1999 after the Australian Racing Hall of Fame trainer and was elevated to Group 1 status in 2005, and has the mantle of the ATC Championships premier sprint race.

Run over the 1200m at Randwick at weight-for-age, the best of the best sprinters have taken on and conquered this race. Who can forget the whited-blazed faced public favourite Apache Cat winning in 2008 then followed up in 2009 when the “taxi driver” Joe Janiak trained another crowd favourite in Takeover Target to win the TJ Smith.

Peter Moody brought Black Caviar to Randwick for this race in 2011 and the crowd gasped when Hay List still led her by 3 lengths at the 200m but Luke Nolen was not worried as he clicked the mare into gear and she exploded to win in a canter. She came back in 2013 and was even more dominant in what turned out to be her final race start.

We thought that that would be the pinnacle for this race but then came the moody grey flash in Chautauqua. He thrilled the crowd with his come from behind wins in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and become the first horse to win this race on three occasions, a feat that Nature Strip was also able to achieve in the 2022 renewal.

The TJ Smith Stakes is an Australian Group 1 race that brings some of the greatest horses to Randwick Racecourse in Sydney and it also attracts the attention of many Aussies, just like us, who like having a bet. Our expert tipsters will put together a list of TJ Smith Stakes tips soon, so look out for them in the leadup to the big race.

Due to the fact that nominations are yet to be accepted for the 2023 TJ Smith Stakes, it is difficult to provide any accurate updates. However, as the Autumn Racing Carnival continues to roll on and we get closer to race day, the type of horses that are aiming for this race will become clearer.

When we have an idea of the horses that are likely to be targeting the TJ Smith Stakes, then we can provide more accurate updates. If you are searching for TJ Smith Stakes horse tips, then we will keep on top of the horses that are likely to be running and provide all this information here for you, meaning you can place your futures bets with confidence!

We will list The Sharks’ TJ Smith Stakes best tips for the race this year closer to the time of the race. Make sure you check back regularly!

TJ Smith Stakes Tips From Experts

Our tips are not out for the TJ Smith Stakes in 2023 as it is too far out from the event. But the good news is that when the final field for the TJ Smith Stakes is announced, we will provide guidance on each and every runner in the 2023 TJ Smith Stakes.

You will find all this information below, when it becomes available. Stay tuned!

There are a lot of important factors to consider before betting on the TJ Smith Stakes. Make sure you have a read on below before you place your bets:

Is Previous TJ Smith Stakes Form a Good Indicator of Future Success?

Yes. Being run at weight-for-age this race enables the best sprinters to continue year after year and take on the Sydney Autumn sprint championship.

Black Caviar was the first to win this race on multiple occasions when she won in 2011 and 2013, and she would have won three if she did not go overseas in 2012.

We did not have to wait for long before we had a three time winner in Chautauqua who one in 2015, 2016 and 2017, which was quickly followed by Nature Strip, who has also won this race three times, in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

It is important to look at previous TJ Smith runnings when deciding on a top pick.

Should I Bet On The Favourite in the TJ Smith Stakes?

The best of the best sprinters take on this race at weight-for-age and that usually points to the “cream rising to the top” and the best horse winning.

Recent results suggest that favoured runners would have a good record in this race but since the first running in 1995 there have been seven winners that have started $17 or beyond. In 2022, Nature Strip started at the favourite when he won the TJ Smith Stakes.

Formlines from Lead Up Races

History suggests the race to look at in the lead-up to the TJ Smith Stakes is the Lightning Stakes at Flemington. Six winners have won the Lightning/ TJ Smith in the same Autumn preparation.

The Lightning/ TJ Smith winners were Mahogany (1997), Apache Cat (2008), Black Caviar (2011 & 2013), Chautauqua (2016) and Nature Strip (2021). In 2022, Nature Strip came second in the Lightning Stakes before winning the TJ Smith Stakes.

Age

Since the first running in 1997 only six three-year-olds have won this race, the most recent was Trapeze Artist (2018).

The older more experienced sprinters usually handle the frantic sprint over a tough 1200m course better than the younger horses and it will take an outstanding three-year-old to win this.

Weight

Weight-for-age does give an outstanding three-year-old an advantage over the older horses but history tells us they do not have the best of winning records.

The weight scale usually gives the best horse in the race their chance.

Gender

Black Caviar is the last mare to win in 2013 and she was only the seventh female to win this race.

The boys have the advantage over the girls in this race.

TJ Smith Stakes Best Bets

Our TJ Smith Stakes best bets for 2023 are not out just yet, make sure you keep an eye out on this page as we will provide more details about our best bets when the final field is announced.

You will find our best bets below once available. Stay tuned!

Long before the TJ Smith Stakes field is announced to the public – majority of bookmakers will open early markets, or all-in markets, for all your TJ Smith Stakes betting needs. This is an excellent time to bet on your chosen horse, as you could have the ability to bet on the best contenders for the 2022 TJ Smith Stakes at higher odds.

Once the 2022 TJ Smith Stakes odds are released, they are likely to fluctuate a lot in the lead up to the race. This is especially the case once we have a clearer idea of the type of horses that will be aiming for the race, along with their recent form.

If you choose to have a punt in these markets, you may find a favourite priced at $10 or greater, which will mean you get more funds in your back pocket if your horse does go on to win. However, there is additional risk with doing this and you need to know what you are getting yourself into before putting cash down.

Depending on when you place your bet on the TJ Smith Stakes in 2022, your horse may not even run, however, what’s worse is that you also won’t get your money back, occurring when the market is ‘All-In’ or closer to the time of the race. If you are having a punt when it says ‘Before Noms’, you have the safety of knowing you’ll get your money back if your horse ends up not running in the race.

The 2022 TJ Smith Stakes odds are not yet released, so please check back later as we will list all the odds as soon as we can!

In the 2022 edition of the TJ Smith Stakes, most punters had their eyes on two horses, Nature Strip and Eduardo. Nature Strip ended up jumping as the $2.80 favourite. While Eduardo was on the second line of betting, at $3.70.

It’s no wonder Nature Strip was the favourite, considering he had won the race in 2020 and in 2021 as well. Not only that, but his form leading up to this race was solid as well. He finished second in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning and third in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes.

Eduardo was the horse many believed could spoil the three-peat for Nature Strip, and for good reason to. He came into this race with the a similar form line as Nature Strip, coming third in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning, and winning the Group 2 Challenge Stakes in early March.

Other than those two horses at the top of the market, there was only one other runner under double digit odds, and that was Shelby Sixtysix. In his most recent three races, he had one second and two firsts. He came second in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes, first in the Group 3 Maurice Mccarten Stakes, and most recently won the Group 1 The Galaxy.

Nature Strip, Nature Strip, Nature Strip! The 7YO gelding had made it three from three with his win at the 2022 edition of the TJ Smith Stakes. It was a fairly small field, of just 11 runners, and the only two horses that punters cared about was Nature Strip and Eduardo.

The punters had things bang on, as Nature Strip ($2.80) beat out Eduardo ($3.70), who finished in second place. Nature Strip had an excellent run, and was leading for a majority of the way. No one, not even Eduardo was able to catch up to him, and he ended up finishing a fairly sizable 3.36L in front of Eduardo.

Eduardo was second for a lot of the race, but just didn’t have the speed to take it to Nature Strip and give him a run for his money. Next to cross the line was Paulele, who was 4.5L off the pace.

You’ve read the words, now watch the video! Have a squiz below at the 2022 TJ Smith Stakes race:

TJ Smith Stakes Winners

The results for the upcoming TJ Smith Stakes are not yet available, but in the meantime, you can have a look below at all the recent past winners: