Trapeze Artist stamped himself as one of the most talented sprinters in Australia with an outstanding win in the 2018 TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon.

Trapeze Artist set a new race record winning the 2018 TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick. Photo Steve Hart.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy wasted no time taking the favourite Redzel to the front in the early stages of the TJ Smith Stakes and he gave his usual kick at the top of the straight, while the likes of In Her Time and England were forced to settle a long way back.

Tye Angland peeled out on Trapeze Artist at the 300 metre mark and the talented colt cruised up to Redzel before he raced away from his rival in the concluding stages of the race.

Trainer Gerald Ryan elected to freshen Trapeze Artist up following his third place finish behind Kementari and Pierata in the Royal Randwick Guineas and he was delighted that his gamble had come off.

“I’ve always had a lot of faith in the horse,” Ryan said.

“He has been going good and the owner really twisted my arm about running in it.

“Last Friday morning he worked really good for him and I hoped that he hadn’t gone over the top, but he got beaten by a maiden horse at trackwork on Tuesday and I knew that he was on track.

“I thought that we were going to be strong and at the 250 metre mark once he got momentum, he just kept going strong.

“He showed that in the Golden Rose and if you get a fast-run race, he can finish over the top of them.

“He seems to appreciate that as he gets into his action and he is very strong.”

Redzel lost no admirers with another gallant second and he remains an outside chance of heading to Royal Ascot, while In Her Time stormed home late after getting too far back in the run.

Jockey Damian Lane, who picked up the ride on In Her Time in the T.J. Smith Stakes following an injury suffered by Corey Brown, admitted after the race that he did miss the boat on The Galaxy winner.

2018 TJ Smith Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Randwick Race 8 – 07/04/2018