Team Snowden have Everest contender Mazu ready to peak for TJ Smith Stakes

Mazu, the only horse already locked for a start in the $15 million The Everest later this year, is clashing with most of his potential rivals at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The Group 1 $3 million Furphy TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) has been called the “Autumn Everest” such is the quality of the field.

There are eight individual Group 1 winners among the 15 sprinters contesting the feature race and collectively they have amassed more than $65 million in prizemoney.

Mazu’s trainer Peter Snowden said the level of competition for the TJ Smith Stakes as well as the other feature races on Day One of The Championships is “as strong as it gets”.

“The TJ is like an Everest, it is a very, very good race,” Snowden said. “There is no sprinter missing from the field.”

The “first four” from The Everest clash again in the TJ Smith Stakes – Giga Kick, Private Eye, Mazu and Nature Strip.

Mazu, who has been selected by Arrowfield’s John Messara for The Everest later this year, might not have won a race this season but is regarded as one of the nation’s elite sprinters. Still, as much as $14 is being bet about him on TAB Fixed Odds such is the quality of the TJ Smith field.

Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son Paul, said Mazu has done well since finishing fifth when resuming in the Newmarket Handicap.

Godolphin’s glamour filly In Secret won the Newmarket from Lofty Strike, I Wish I Win, Private Eye and Mazu with all five meeting again in the rich Randwick sprint.

“I liked Mazu’s last 200m in the Newmarket,” Snowden said.

“He was out on his feet but he refused to give in. I thought he ran particularly well.

“He is going terrific, his work on Tuesday was very, very good and I am more than happy with him.”

Team Snowden gave Mazu another barrier trial hit-out between runs to have the gelding primed for the TJ Smith sprint showdown.

“Racing really brings him on,” Snowden said.

“The inside draw (barrier one) is gold for him. He should get the perfect run and will be there for a long way, that is for sure.

“We have him as good as we can for Saturday. I’m looking forward to this race and then the All Aged Stakes (1400m, Randwick, April 15).”

The Snowden stable is also chasing Group 1 success with crack colts Don Corleone and Empire Of Japan in the $1 million Inglis Sires (1400m).

Don Corleone and Empire Of Japan ran fourth and fifth respectively in the Golden Slipper behind Shinzo, Cylinder and King’s Gambit. Of the Slipper trifecta, only Cylinder is backing up in the Sires.

“We are happy with our colts, they both ran well in the Golden Slipper and came out of it in great order,” Snowden sad.

“They both pulled up remarkably well, they are still fresh and showing no signs of training off, especially Don Corleone.

“He’s had a few runs, he’s travelled to Melbourne and back but still looks as good as he did a month ago.

“I think the 1400m will really suit Don Corleone, he has been aimed at this race for a while now, and Empire Of Japan should also run the trip out strongly.

“We got chances in a couple of the Group 1 races, it’s good to be a part of it and it would be great if we can win one.”

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Trainer Kerry Parker won’t be giving jockey Jay Ford too many riding instructions for Hope In Your Heart from the extreme outside barrier in the $4 million The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m).

With the scratching of Kirwan’s Lane, this means Hope In Your Heart will have all 19 rivals inside her when the Doncaster field jumps from the Randwick 1600m start.

“We will have to take our ‘medicine’ from out there,” Parker said.

“I’m hoping Jay can get Hope In Your Heart into the three-wide line with cover and it would be nice if we can find the back of Fangirl or Lion’s Roar so they can take you into the race.

“That’s about as much of a game plan as we can have from out there.”

Hope In Your Heart has developed into one of the most improved horses in training this season, graduating from restricted grade to win at Group 2 level, finish fourth in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic and fourth in the Golden Eagle.

But such is the strength of the Doncaster field, Hope In Your Heart is at $26 behind Mr Brightside at $5.50 favourite.

“It’s great to have a runner in the Doncaster, it’s a sensational race and probably any one of 15 could win it,” Parker said.

“I know this mare will run well, she tries so hard, and she will travel a lot better in the run at Randwick with a bit of give in the track than she did in the Coolmore.

“If there is enough pressure up front, which there usually is in a Doncaster, she will be running on.”

Parker said if Hope In Your Heart pulls up well after the Doncaster there is every chance she will back up in the Group 1 $1 million Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 8.

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Will the All-Star Mile form stack up again in the Doncaster Mile?

Mr Brightside won last year’s Doncaster after finishing fourth in the All-Star Mile. The ill-fated I’m Thunderstruck was second in both races and Icebath improved off her unplaced run in Melbourne to finish third.

At Randwick on Saturday, Mr Brightside is attempting to defend his Doncaster title, this time off a strong All-Star Mile win at Moonee Valley.

Doncaster hopefuls Alligator Blood (fourth), Nugget (fifth), Gentleman Roy (seventh) and My Oberon (14th) are also coming out of the All-Star Mile.

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English raider and last start Sky High Stakes winner Protagonist has had synthetic hoof filler applied to its off fore but has been cleared to start in the Doncaster.

Racing NSW veterinarians informed stewards Protagonist “has been managed for a mild reaction over the medial heel of the off fore” but underwent a routine pre-racing veterinary inspection on Friday and has been passed fit to race.

5 years ago

Trainer Pat Webster achieved a career ambition when Happy Clapper improved off successive seconds in the Doncaster Mile in 2016-17 to finally win the big Randwick mile. Happy Clapper, ridden by Blake Shinn, burst through along the inside to beat Comin’ Through. Levendi proved too strong in the ATC Australian Derby and Trapeze Artist, ridden by Tye Angland, was a brilliant TJ Smith Stakes winner.

10 years ago

Mighty mare Black Caviar maintained her unbeaten record with her 25th win in the TJ Smith Stakes. Two days later, trainer Peter Moody announced Black Caviar had run her last race. Sacred Falls, trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Tommy Berry, won the first of successive Doncasters defeating Pierro and Norzita for a three-year-old trifecta. It’s A Dundeel completed the three-year-old triple crown when he followed his wins in the Randwick Guineas and Rosehill Guineas by romping home in the ATC Australian Derby.

20 years ago

Gai Waterhouse’s Grand Armee won his first Group 1 race when he took out the Doncaster from Dash For Cash with champion Lonhro finishing fourth. Clangalang, trained by Gerald Ryan, finished fast to win the Derby and the Guy Walter-trained Spinning Hill won the TJ Smith Stakes. Star jockey Danny Beasley won on Grand Armee and Spinning Hill.