Kerrin McEvoy and Peter Snowden are chasing a clean sweep of this seasons Group 1 two-year-old events in the TJ Smith Stakes
The Darley team will saddle up Benfica, who was a touch disappointing when running 6th in the BRC Sires Produce. Snowden had also planned for his colt Free Wheeling to start in the TJ Smith Stakes, however the horse was spelled after an unsuccessful tilt at the BRC Sires Produce.
Both Snowden and McEvoy have won all four Group One races for two year olds this year. The pair took out the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper with Sepoy, before taking out the AJC Sires Produce and Champagne Stakes with Helmet.
The BRC Sires Produce was taken out by Hot Snitzel, and the gelding will back up in the TJ Smith.
Hot Snitzel’s form has been solid lately. He was able to win the Ken Russell memorial before running third in the Champagne Classic at Doomben. Trainer Gerald Ryan didn’t fare all that well at the barrier draw, with Hot Snitzel to start from gate 10 of 11. He will be ridden by Hugh Bowman.
Anthony Cummings is the only trainer in the race who has won it before. He prepared Outback Prince who was able to win the race in 2004 and this year he saddles up the talented Fontelina.
Fontelina has only had two race starts however the colt was impressive in winning the Phoenix Stakes at Doomben last start. He will again have Luke Nolen in the saddle.
Hot Snitzel has been declared as the early favourite for the TJ Smith at $2.20.
Fontelina ($3.20), Benfica ($5.00) and the Graham Rogerson trained Dowager Queen ($6.50) are the only other runners under double figures.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14X203131 | HOT SNITZEL | Gerald Ryan | Hugh Bowman | 10 | 56kg |
| 2 | 12X16 | BENFICA | Peter Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 56kg |
| 3 | 1X358X3249 | DOUBLE IMPACT | Jackie Crompton | Chris Munce | 9 | 56kg |
| 4 | 21 | FONTELINA | Anthony Cummings | Luke Nolen | 8 | 56kg |
| 5 | 315 | LARGO DA BARRA | John Sargent | Opie Bosson | 3 | 56kg |
| 6 | 1X90 | BLACK JAG | Peter Hulbert | Justin P Stanley | 4 | 56kg |
| 7 | 2110X08 | MILITARY GRACE | Gillian Heinrich | Dwayne Dunn | 11 | 54kg |
| 8 | 15160X5232 | PLAYTIME | Todd Austin | Scott Seamer | 5 | 54kg |
| 9 | 3332013114 | DOWAGER QUEEN (NZ) | Graeme & Debbie Rogerson | James McDonald (a) | 7 | 54kg |
| 10 | 08X1316 | IMMOVABLE SITE | Gary Bein | Corey Brown | 2 | 54kg |
| 11 | 085550966 | BLACK BANNER | David Peoples | Glyn Schofield | 1 | 54kg |
