The unlucky More Joyous is a surprise nomination in Saturday’s Group 1 $1m Darley T J Smith (1200m) at Randwick which has attracted seventeen entries including sprint queen Black Caviar.
More Joyous is surprise nomination for the T J Smith at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The connections of More Joyous were left lamenting after the short priced favourite was blocked for a run in the straight in the Group 1 $400,000 Inglis Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill last Saturday.
While Nash Rawiller was desperately looking for the way clear on More Joyous, eventual winner Appearance had a clear run and swept down the middle of the track to score her second Group 1 win in as many starts.
When Rawiller eventually worked into the clear, More Joyous got her motor going and flashed home to finish fifth with the top jockey thinking of what should have been.
“She was a certainty beaten,” Rawiller said. “Everyone saw what happened.
“It just wasn’t her day.”
More Joyous, who dominated last year’s Sydney Autumn Carnival has failed to win at two runs this campaign after being beaten by stablemate Pierro first-up in the Group 1 $350,000 Cellarbrations Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on March 23.
Peter Moody’s sprinting champion Black Caviar hasn’t frightened off all of her opposition with a good quality field ready to take on the world’s number one sprinter.
Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride who has nominated Rain Affair, Title and Lady’s Angel, is one who is happy to take on Black Caviar and can see the mighty mare not getting it all her own way on Saturday.
“It won’t just be a trot and canter like some of the races that Black Caviar has been in,” Pride said.
“If she wins she will certainly earn it, we don’t race in lanes in Sydney, we will be going out there to beat her, try to take her out of her comfort zone.
“Whether we can is another story, it isn’t going to be easy but we will roll the dice.”
Pride is expecting vast improvement second-up from Rain Affair after the five year old needed the run when fourth to Pierro in the Canterbury Stakes.
“I think he is a much better horse second-up and his record says that, also coming back to 1200m is a positive,” Pride said.
“I’m not too concerned if the wet weather sticks around, Rain Affair loves the sting out of the ground.”
Hay List is also among the nominations but trainer John McNair is holding off until Wednesday morning to confirm a start for his old war horse after the seven year old disappointed in a gallop in between races at Wyong on Sunday.
Hay List galloped with his stablemate Australian Star with jockey Glyn Schofield saying he was not completely happy the giant sprinter.
“His work last week was good and he seems fine, but his gallop today wasn’t great,” Schofield said following the workout.
“John said he would give him a piece of work on Wednesday and make a decision after that.”
The T J Smith nominations also include Group 1 winners Epaulette, Sea Siren and last start Galaxy winner Bel Sprinter.
Even after missing the start, Bel Sprinter was able to realise his long time potential to score a runaway win in the Group 1 $350,000 Canterbury BMW Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 30.
Peter Moody has indicated that he won’t run Black Caviar if there is further rain during the week and the Randwick track is overly rain affected.
