Briasa arrives in G1 TJ Smith Stakes

Randwick was the stage for Briasa’s breakthrough moment on Saturday as the four-year-old announced himself as a true Group 1 star by taking out the prestigious T J Smith Stakes.

Prepared by Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes, the emerging grey sprinter outpaced a quality field to secure his seventh win in just nine starts, and his maiden at the elite level.

He crossed the line just ahead of Overpass in a nail-biting finish, with Headwall completing the trifecta another 1-1/4 lengths away.

Briasa’s career began barely a year ago in modest company at Kembla Grange, but Michael Hawkes said the team had faith in his potential from the start.

“I’ve just loved him from day one,” he said.

“I’m just lost for words. This is the moment that we dream of with a horse like this.

“We’ve had our ups and downs, we’re not big anymore but we’ve got quality.”

The victory helped erase the memory of Briasa’s unlucky fourth in the Group 1 The Galaxy, where he charged home from last. This time, Tyler Schiller took advantage of a good draw to have him in the firing line throughout.

“It makes a difference when you draw a barrier and he’s probably missing one first-up but second-up it’s great to get a barrier,” Schiller said.

“Randwick is more forgiving, and he’s just a very good horse.

“The Hawkes team have maintained him perfectly, they know how to win this race, especially with a grey, I still don’t know his ceiling but he’s got oodles of talent.”

This marks the fourth T J Smith Stakes title for the Hawkes stable, joining the trio of wins with Chautauqua—another grey—between 2015 and 2017.

Joliestar, the $3.30 favourite, had her chances dashed by traffic and could only manage ninth, though beaten less than two lengths in the end.