After a month of lead-up races, the feature two-year-old event of the Brisbane Winter Carnival has finally arrived with the Group 1 $500,000 2012 TJ Smith (1600m).
Kelso Wood-trained colt Sizzling is odds-on favourite after dominating all in his path so far this preparation.
The son of Snitzel will be chasing a fourth straight victory and will have regular jockey Chris Munce in the saddle.
Following the favourite in the market is the talented Boban ($6.00) who has issues settling down but has a nice turn of foot and can charge home on his day.
Just behind the Anthony Freedman-trained colt is Academus ($7.00) who gets a chance to exact revenge on Sizzling after finishing behind the exciting youngster in his past two starts.
Also set to line up is Gai Waterhouse-trained colt Kabayan ($11.00) and Gerald Ryan-trained Dances On Stars ($11.00) who has placed regularly behind Sizzling this carnival.
Keep reading for the best selections from the Races.com.au who have been keenly studying the form to try and bring you a winner!
The Winner
#1 Sizzling $1.90
Impossible to look past the favourite here who has answered every question asked of him this preparation.
The only hiccup came in the Group 2 Champagne Classic when he got a long way back but still had the talent to storm home and take victory by a head.
Trainer Kelso Wood was extremely confident following last weekend’s BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes win and he is expected to only get better as he steps up to 1600 metres.
The Placings
#8 Boban $6.00 and #4 Dances On Stars $11.00
Boban is one horse who can really give the favourite a shake if he can reproduce something similar to his last performance.
The son of Bernadini stormed home after being held at the back of the field to win the Listed Phoenix by 2 ½ lengths.
Experienced jockey Hugh Bowman rode him last start and he will again be on board. The inside barrier will allow him to settle with cover before getting a chance to accelerate at the back end of the race.
Dances On Stars has been a picture of consistency in his young career so far and he should again produce a good showing this weekend.
The son of Snitzel has only missed a place once in six starts and that was back in November last year so expect him to be not too far off the lead this weekend.
The Roughie
#2 Choice Bro $41.00
Struggled last start when sixth in the Phoenix but this New Zealand colt should appreciate the step up in distance.
A son of Choisir, Choice Bro arrived in Australia on the back of a Group 1 win in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and placed first-up in the Hampden Stakes.
Think Sizzling will be too strong? Or fancy an outside selection? Whoever you back, be sure to get access to the best odds by signing up at bookmaker.com.au.
