Fifteen of the country’s best sprinters have been confirmed to line up on the 1200m course at Royal Randwick for the 2017 TJ Smith Stakes on Day 1 of The Championships and subsequently, there is plenty of value to be taken in betting markets for the feature race.
Chautauqua currently leads 2017 TJ Smith Stakes betting markets. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Chautauqua has been gallant through three starts this time without returning to winning form, but the multiple Group 1 winner remains an outright $4.60 favourite in 2017 TJ Smith Stakes betting markets with leading online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au.
Winner of the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at the beginning of his 2016 autumn campaign, the Encosta De Lago gelding successfully defended his crown in the TJ Smith Stakes most notably, before a trip abroad heralded an impressive win in the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) in Hong Kong.
Resuming this time for third in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m), Chautauqua progressed to a close second in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) before working home gallantly for third behind Winx in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) last time out.
Astern is yet to make an appearance at the races in 2017, but the exciting colt remains the sole occupant of the second line of betting at a $6 quote.
Astern stamped himself as a colt to follow through an impressive two-year-old campaign last spring and resumed in spring for a smart win in the Group 2 The Run To The Rose (1200m).
Breaking through for a maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m), the Medaglia D’Oro colt placed second in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) before ending his year a close second in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Astern is drawn ideally, will be partnered by leading Godolphin hoop James Doyle and will carry only 56.5kgs in the TJ Smith Stakes.
Russian Revolution has returned to racing in smart form this time, will carry benefit into the TJ Smith Stakes and is currently the sole occupant of the third line of betting at $7 odds.
The Snitzel colt posted consecutive wins in the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) and Roman Consul Stakes in spring, before ending his season a credible fourth in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Trialling well in the lead-up to his 2017 return, Russian Revolution flew home to win the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) first-up on March 18th and has reportedly only improved from the run.
Spieth ($8) is the only other runner currently available at TJ Smith Stakes odds of less-than $10 at Ladbrokes.com.au, while the likes of Malaguerra ($10), English ($11) and Fell Swoop ($16) all represent terrific value.
