Peter & Paul Snowden’s $8 million earner Redzel is the standout TJ Smith Stakes 2018 first acceptor, the champion sprinter also leading updated betting on the Randwick feature this autumn.

Redzel is the standout sprinter in the TJ Smith Stakes 2018 first acceptances for April 7 at Royal Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart.

On Tuesday Racing NSW took first acceptances for all the big ‘The Championships’ races running on the first two Saturdays in April including those for the Group 1 $2.5 million Darley TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) held on April 7.

The TJ Smith Stakes first acceptances for 2018 attracted 39 hopefuls and the latest markets at Ladbrokes.com.au are dominated by Snitzel five-year-old Redzel.

Having now amassed more career prize money than Black Caviar, the bay has twice won over the TJ Smith Stakes track and distance including most notably the $10 million The Everest (1200m) in the spring.

Saluting down the Flemington straight in the Darley Classic after that, he atoned for a devastatingly close first-up second to Redkirk Warrior in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) when returning to Sydney last weekend to take out the Group 2 $500,000 Challenge Stakes (1000m).

Redzel now sits as a $2.70 favourite in all-in TJ Smith Stakes odds to salute in his autumn Grand Final next month and hand Team Snowden their first victory in the weight-for-age classic.

Despite his racing career being under a cloud of doubt, triple TJ Smith Stakes champion Chautauqua has also been paid up for by Team Hawkes at first acceptance stage this week.

The ‘Grey Flash’ made history last Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival posting his third victory in the race, but has refused to trial on three separate occasions leading-up to his return this time in.

He needs to twice trial for the stewards before being allowed to race giving the team a tough assignment to have the seven-year-old fit and ready to fire come the TJ Smith Stakes.

Still, the bookies are taking no chances with Chautauqua who is being kept safe at $11 in the early TJ Smith Stakes betting markets.

Along with Redzel, the only other single-figure chance in those futures markets for the lucrative sprint is Vega Magic ($9).

Prepared by the powerhouse Lindsay Park stable and one of six first acceptors for the team in the race, the Lope De Vega five-year-old is yet to race in 2018.

The chestnut was last seen finishing just over four lengths back for a mid-field seventh to Redzel in the Darley Classic having run second in The Everest two starts prior.

A gun fresh, reigning Memsie Stakes winner Vega Magic will be kept lightly raced ahead of the TJ Smith Stakes where he will look to add to a top record over the distance (15:-9-2-1).

The other top TJ Smith Stakes first acceptor for Lindsay Park looks to be Pierro filly Tulip who is also in the mix for the Group 2 $600,000 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) against her own age the Saturday after.

No three-year-old has won the TJ Smith Stakes since the filly Melito back in 2010 and Tulip is one of nine still in the mix this year.

Other top youngsters that could take on the older sprinters include last year’s Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign, Surround Stakes winner Shoals and the Golden Rose champ Trapeze Artist last seen running third in the Randwick Guineas over a mile.

The TJ Smith Stakes 2018 final field is set for release on April 3 with updated odds now open at Ladbrokes.com.au.

2018 TJ Smith Stakes First Acceptances

Royal Randwick – 07/04/2018