TJ Smith Stakes runner-by-runner form assessments and selections

Jett Hatton presents his tips and form assessment for each of the runners in Saturday’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick.

The $3m TJ Smith Stakes has drawn together a high-class field of sprinters with 13 runners declared for the 1200m weight-for-age contest at Randwick.

Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday.

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1 - OVERPASS

A proven weight-for-age and fresh performer looking for his third win at Group 1 level. While his career highlights have come in West Australia, looking back through his first-up runs in the east suggest he is top class. Of those include wins in the Expressway and Sydney Stakes along with a second to Nature Strip in The Shorts. The likelihood of a drying track suits him, as goes barrier two.

VERDICT: Ticks plenty of boxes.

OVERPASS wins the Sydney Stakes!

He's contested the past two editions of the #TABEverest but @BBakerRacing's star sprinter claims the Group 3 and his first win at Randwick with an all the way win over Coal Crusher and Southport Tycoon. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/F8C5b6v6WD

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) October 19, 2024

2 - JIMMYSSTAR

Electric first-up victory in the Oakleigh Plate before his third-placed effort behind Schwarz in the William Reid Stakes. Couldn’t keep up over the first 600m but nothing that raced at Moonee Valley that day worked home better than this horse. Did he just struggle to go with them early second-up at the 1200m? Or was it just the way the track played? He’s no doubt a different horse compared to the last time we saw him in NSW but the barrier means he’s likely to settle at the rear.

VERDICT: Can win but prefer place.

JIMMYSSTAR STORMS HOME TO WIN THE OAKLEIGH PLATE! 🚀@cmaherracing@Brown_ethan8pic.twitter.com/aaaPoqhJJD

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 22, 2025

3 - JEDIBEEL

Strong win first-up in the Challenge Stakes before finishing ninth to Private Harry in The Galaxy. That was his first go at Group 1 level and this is even harder now against weight-for-age company. Is a winner over this track and distance in the Razor Sharp Handicap.

VERDICT: This looks too hard.

Jedibeel lets down and WINS the Challenge Stakes! 🏆@BWiddupRacing | @G1TySchilpic.twitter.com/1RRW8SkIdX

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 8, 2025

4 - HEADWALL

A horse that continues to improve for trainer Matthew Smith and was rewarded with a Group 1 placing when runner-up to Joliestar in the Newmarket Handicap. This is a whole different test at weight-for-age but he is a Randwick winner and a horse on the upward spiral.

VERDICT: A top-three finish would surprise.

5 - BRIASA

This horse is the X-factor in the race and we’re not close to the bottom of him following just eight starts. Showed how good he was in the spring when taking out The Hunter and he didn’t do it easy either, covering ground without cover in the run. History suggests it takes a Group 1-class runner to win that race and he returned with a super effort in The Galaxy. The way the race panned out didn’t suit him, but he’s going to enjoy getting to Randwick and out to 1200m.

VERDICT: One of the main chances.

A maiden G1 for PRIVATE HARRY in the The Galaxy who STILL remains undefeated 🔥

pic.twitter.com/p6hMqj9VbM

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) March 22, 2025

6 - SUNSHINE IN PARIS

Dual Group 1-winning mare that was solid at her resuming run in the Canterbury Stakes. She was held up until the 250m and showed a good turn of speed late to run fourth. All of her form would suggest she is a better fresh horse compared to when she races second-up but there’s no doubting her class.

VERDICT: Have a few ahead of her.

🇦🇺 Darley Champions Sprint @FlemingtonVRC
Flemington - Groupe 1 - 3 ans et plus - 1200m - 12 Pts - 3.000.000 Au$

🏆 🥇Sunshine In Paris (f) (Aus) 🏇James Mcdonald @mcacajamez
🥈Right To Party
🥉Bella Nipotina

📖(Invader (Aus) @AquisFarm - Zenaida (Nz)… pic.twitter.com/aCgp8mqUsf

— French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) November 9, 2024

7 - JOLIESTAR

Not much went her way when resuming in the Expressway Stakes before exploding for a big win in the Newmarket Handicap. Yet to win at weight-for-age but her effort in The Everest last year would suggest she’s up to it and with only 12 starts to her name, we likely haven’t seen the best of her yet. Is two from four at the track and distance and she’s drawn to get every chance from barrier four with Damian Lane on.

VERDICT: Hard to beat.

She's a star alright! ⭐️

JOLIESTAR takes out the 2025 Newmarket Handicap & collects her 2nd Group 1 victory 👏🏻@[e-mail]/WsNyI3Mc8r

— Racing.com (@Racing) March 8, 2025

8 - MAGIC TIME

Has a recent win over the favourite Joliestar and she was good again second-up in the Canterbury Stakes. Has a love affair with the Randwick circuit and she’s drawn to get her chance from barrier one. Given a tick-over trial since her Canterbury Stakes effort. did run seventh in this race last year but she is going better this time around.

VERDICT: Has to be considered.

🪄 Magic Time produces some wizardry to take out the G2 Expressway Stakes at Randwick!@JChilds47 | @Grahame_Begg | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/oRQfm1YSTL

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 15, 2025

9 - I AM ME

Talented mare that is going OK this preparation but certainly well below what she’s capable of. Winless in nine starts at Group 1 level. She has to lift.

VERDICT: Needs to find form and that still may not be enough.

10 - KIMOCHI

Consistent mare trained by Gary Portelli. While she didn’t win first-up in the Challenge, it was a strong run at a trip short of her best and she’s been freshened up for this. At her best on the fresh side and the booking of Nash Rawiller is a plus. This is the hardest race she’s ever run in but she has good ability.

VERDICT: Top-four finish wouldn’t surprise.

11 - SWITZERLAND

Blue-blood colt that created a big impression during the spring when he dominated his rivals in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. Has been just OK at his two runs during the autumn and that poses two questions. Are the three-year-olds just not up to it? Or has he not come back as good. Ryan Moore goes on for this and the most important note is that blinkers go on. Three for four at Randwick too.

VERDICT: Has to improve but has the talent to win.

🇦🇺AUSTRALIA(Flemington) 02/11/2024 : (GR.1) Switzerland(Snitzel/Ms Bad Behavior By Blame)

Wins COOLMORE STUD STAKES

3 years old
1200m Turf(01:08:30)

O : Coolmore, Wynaus Et Al
T : @cwallerracing
J : @mcacajamez

2nd : Bellatrix Star
3nd : Growing Empire
3nd :Lady Of Camelot pic.twitter.com/S5HCqw5YVs

— NAHEEZ RACING نحيز ريسنغ (@musallamqatan) November 2, 2024

12 - TRAFFIC WARDEN

Scratched at the barriers in The Everest and hasn’t had much go his way since. Had EIPH in the Coolmore Stud Stakes and following his resuming run in the Black Caviar Lightning, bled from one nostril following a trial. The barrier has made it tricky and fitness could be an issue, but he did look good in a recent trial.

VERDICT: Too many questions to have confidence in him.

13 - SHEZANALISTER

Eye-catching run at her last outing in the Birthday Card Stakes when second behind Austmarr. Nothing in 23 starts would suggest she’s up to winning this race.

VERDICT: Impossible to make case for.

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TIPS

1st – Joliestar (No.7)

2nd – Briasa (No.5)

3rd – Overpass (No.1)

4th – Jimmysstar (No.2)

Originally published as TJ Smith Stakes runner-by-runner form assessments and selections