Signup to Ladbrokes

Races.com.au Favourite Bookmaker!

SPRNGC

Copy Signup Code

Code for tracking purposes only

Chances are you're about to lose.

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

The bookies are taking no chances with the talented young Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Tentyris with the multiple Group 1 winning three-year-old tipped to beat home his older rivals in Sydney’s 2026 TJ Smith Stakes this weekend.

One of the premier sprint races of the autumn, the Group 1 $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) is part of a bumper 10-race Randwick card on Day 1 of The Championships which features four elite level races.

The TJ Smith field has drawn a small, but class line-up of nine short distance specialists led in betting at Ladbrokes.com.au by three-year-old Street Boss colt Tentyris at $3.

Drawn the rails with Mark Zahra retaining the ride, he is out to be the first three-year-old TJ Smith Stakes winner since Trapeze Artist (2018) and Saturday marks his first run outside of Melbourne.

In the spring he hit great heights winning the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) against his own age before resuming at HQ to deny his older rivals in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m).

Second-up he was favourite in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) also held down the famous Flemington straight, but Tentyris only managed to run fifth albeit only 1.5 lengths beaten by the upset winner Caballus.

He now heads north chasing interstate riches and a return to winning form for Zahra and co-trainer Anthony Freedman who combined to win this race back in 2019 with Santa Ana Lane, and how he handles the Sydney way of racing will be key to his chances at saluting for the punters.

Occupying the second line of TJ Smith Stakes betting in 2026 at $4.50 and also drawn near the inside rail in gate two is the consistent Jimmysstar for master horseman Ciaron Maher.

The Per Incanto six-year-old was strong last campaign rounding out his spring with back-to-back wins in the Russell Balding and CF Orr at Randwick and Caulfield respectively highlighting his versatility.

Fresh on March 21 he lined up as the short favourite in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) but only managed to run seventh to Jigsaw, and he now chases atonement fitter for the run looking to add to his solid second-up record (5:2-2-1).

With his last start jockey Zahra booked to ride Saturday’s favourite, his regular rider last prep – Ethan Brown – reunites with Jimmysstar with the hoop looking to get the best out of one of his top mounts.

In a wide-open market a further three sprinters are also currently under $10 TJ Smith Stakes odds for the win including the flying Chris Waller-trained mare Joliestar ($4.60).

Waller collected three straight TJ Smith trophies with his triple hero Nature Strip (2020-22) and is out to add to his tally this weekend saddling-up his in-form five-year-old daughter of Zoustar from gate five.

Joliestar chases a hat-trick on Saturday having won the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) – both run at Randwick – first and second-up this time in.

She’s firing on all cylinders now and drops back to the six furlongs again which she boasts a terrific record over (11:5-0-3).

Clayton Douglas‘s former The Everest champ Giga Kick ($7) who beat Joliestar (3rd) home in the Champions Sprint over the Melbourne Cup Carnival last November and Team Hawkes‘ speedy grey Briasa ($9) complete the single figure fancies.

Giga Kick races third-up on the weekend looking to close the gap on Tentyris who he followed home two lengths back fifth in the Black Caviar before his last start fourth in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) here at Randwick on March 7 only 1.4 lengths back.

Briasa meanwhile is a standout 1200m specialist (8:6-0-0) who will relish the step up to 1200m now after resuming with a devastatingly close fourth only a quarter-length off Marhoona at Rosehill in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) in a blanket finish on Slipper Day.

Bjorn Baker‘s resuming seven-year-old Overpass ($13) who has trialled up nicely winning back-to-back Sydney jump outs ahead of his return is considered the other most likely at an upset.

The 2026 TJ Smith Stakes is scheduled as Randwick Race 7 at 3:55pm (AEDT) on the stacked 10-race Sydney card this Saturday.

2026 TJ Smith Stakes Field & Odds

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au