Russian Revolution is ready to explode in T J Smith Stakes

Lightly raced three year old Russian Revolution is ready to explode when he lines up against the older sprinters again in the Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on the first day of ‘The Championships’ on Saturday.

Russian Revolution, above, is ready to explode when he lines up in the T J Smith at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Russian Revolution, above, is ready to explode when he lines up in the T J Smith at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Russian Revolution was able to make it five wins from six starts with his narrow victory over stablemate Redzel in the Group 1 $700,000 Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 18 and co-trainer Peter Snowden said that the colt had taken huge benefit out the run.

“He is like a bomb ready to explode,” Snowden told racing.com on Tuesday morning.

“He needed that (run) and he is very very well in himself. His work has been really good and he is a sharp as a tack this morning (Tuesday).”

“I can’t fault him. He needed than run to get him further on. The benefit of that run and his work this morning says to me that he is bang on for Saturday.

“He went with a mate and ambled up beside it and finished his work off very strongly.”

“I am confident the horse will run very well.”

While Peter Snowden is confident that Russian Revolution will be fighting out the finish again, his race day jockey Kerrin McEvoy is a bit more guarded as the Snitzel colt is facing a significant weight rise.

Russian Revolution was handicapped to carry 50.5kg against the older horses in the Galaxy but under the weight for age conditions of the T J Smith Stakes he is up significantly in weight to 56.5kg and McEvoy can see this as one his major obstacles.

“That (weight rise) is obviously going to make it a little bit tougher, no doubt, but he’s a good quality horse and he’s in top shape,” McEvoy told Racing.com at trackwork on Tuesday morning.

“It’s a tougher test again on Saturday, but he’s won around Randwick and showed that he enjoys it so that gives us another tick as well.

“Peter and Paul have had him just primed to improve a bit into his second run and his work showed me this morning that that was exactly what he’s done.”

Russian Revolution has drawn barrier ten in the fifteen horse T J Smith Stakes field and is at the single digit odds of $7 at Ladbrokes.com.au.

The Team Hawkes trained Chautauqua is the $4.60 favourite to claim his third straight T J Smith Stakes trophy ahead of John O’Shea’s colt Astern at $6 while Spieth is the only other runner under the $10 mark at $8.50.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.