Terravista New T.J. Smith Stakes Favourite

Terravista has been backed into 2015 T.J. Smith Stakes odds of $2.50 and is now favourite to take out the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick this afternoon.

Terravista is set to start the 2015 T.J. Smith Stakes as a narrow favourite. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett

Terravista is set to start the 2015 T.J. Smith Stakes as a narrow favourite. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett

Terravista was originally on the second line of T.J. Smith Stakes betting markets at a quote of $3.50, but the scratching of Sweet Idea and the wet Royal Randwick track has been his odds shorten considerably in the past 24 hours.

The Captain Rio gelding finished a credible third behind Brazen Beau and Chautauqua in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 14 and trainer Joe Pride believes that his star sprinter is a much fitter horse heading into the 2015 T.J. Smith Stakes.

“I am very happy with him and he is in great order,” Pride said.

“He never shows me anything on the track and he is very lazy and very casual, but his work on Tuesday morning was ok and that is typical of him and if it changed I would be more worried.

“He has done that at most of his starts and he did that after he won the Darley.

“I wouldn’t look to punters and say that was an excuse and he got beaten on the day maybe more with the tempo of the race.

“He tries his heart out and he pulls up with a bit of stress after each run.

“He has done well in the three weeks in between and he will strip a much fitter horse.”

Chautauqua is now on the second of 2015 T.J. Smith Stakes betting markets and has drifted out to $3 this morning due to concerns about his ability to handle a rain-affected track.

The Encosta De Lago gelding has only had two race starts on a wet track, finishing second in the Gosford Guineas and seventh in the Royal Sovereign Stakes during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, but co-trainer revealed earlier in the week that he believes the wet track will suit the talented sprinter.

“Chautauqua is going gangbusters and he likes wet tracks,” Hawkes told Racing Ahead.

The only other runner that is available at single figure 2015 T.J. Smith Stakes odds is last year’s winner Lankan Rupee, who has been backed into $4 following the withdrawal of Sweet Idea.

Lankan Rupee returned to racing with an outstanding effort in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on March 14 and he was found with an issue following his sixth place finish in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m).

There has been a sprinkling of support for Tiger Tees ($21 into $18), Famous Seamus ($51 into $41), Fast ‘N’ Rocking ($31 into $26) and Rain Affair ($31 into $21), while Press Report ($81 out to $101) and Fontelina ($67 out to $71) have been on the drift.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.