Redzel may be all the rage in TJ Smith Stakes 2018 betting for Saturday but the Darren Weir camp remain confident their in-form Japanese expat Brave Smash can give the favourite a run for his money late in the Randwick sprint.

Brave Smash chases a Group 1 win at Randwick in Saturday’s TJ Smith Stakes 2018. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Weir’s stable foreman Jarrod McLean spoke to Racing Victoria this week and said Tosen Phantom five-year-old Brave Smash was looking the goods ahead of the Group 1 $2.5 million Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) on Day 1 of ‘The Championships’.

“Hellbent galloped with Brave Smash before he ran in the William Reid and Brave Smash certainly had his measure so that indicates Brave Smash is in really good order,” McLean said.

That form held when Hellbent went on to win the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on March 23.

Running as Race 8 at 3:50pm (AEST) the TJ Smith Stakes field attracted 14 hopefuls and the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained The Everest champion Redzel is clear favourite at $2.40 through Ladbrokes.com.au.

Also at a single-figure quote in the TJ Smith Stakes odds paying $7 is Brave Smash who races in Sydney for the first time since the close third when a length off Redzel in the inaugural The Everest (1200m) last October.

This time in the $2.3 million earner has had four runs including a Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) victory at Caulfield on Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Day.

He was dropped back in distance last time out racing down the Flemington straight six when narrowly beaten home to cross second to Redkirk Warrior in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m).

Sticking to the six furlongs, Brave Smash jumps from barrier two on the weekend with jockey Craig Williams retaining the ride.

“He’s got a really good turn of foot if he’s held up and exposed late. If we can get some cover, we should see that turn of foot,” McLean added.

Williams chases a second TJ Smith Stakes success having partnered Master Of Design to an upset 30/1 victory back in 2012.

The Newmarket Handicap form meanwhile has produced three of the past four TJ Smith Stakes champions with Lankan Rupee doing the double in 2014 before Chautauqua improved on a second and third respectively to go back-to-back in 2015-16.

The Grey Flash also returned last Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival making history with a third consecutive TJ Smith Stakes win but misses a shot at a fourth having refused to trial multiple times to put his future racing career in doubt.

To back Brave Smash to upset Redzel in the TJ Smith Stakes 2018 results on Saturday at the right price head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.