Tyler Schiller and Briasa duo eyeing another Randwick triumph

Within contemporary thoroughbred racing, standout sprinter Briasa paired with jockey Tyler Schiller stands out as unusual.

Timing issues from cross-border festivals, disciplinary actions, and racing's tricky elements often force jockey rotations, but come Saturday at Randwick, Schiller hops aboard the grey flyer for his 13th ride in 16 races - the 11th consecutively.

The most recent alternative jockey to Briasa apart from Schiller was Zac Lloyd during October 2024, which explains the rider's fondness for the Hawkes Racing gelding.

"Definitely. He's pretty cruisy," Schiller said.

"He mopes around the stable like a stayer, but he's one of the fastest horses I've sat on.

"Being with the Hawkes camp has helped me get closer to him. I don't do any of his trackwork, so it's probably strange I do have a good association with him because the only time I sit on him is race day and trials, but he's going terrific."

The combination boasts six triumphs, notably in last year's T J Smith Stakes (1200m) after a bold fourth in The Galaxy (1100m).

He mirrored that effort in this season's Rosehill sprint under four additional kilos, with Schiller certain the gelding matches or surpasses his form from a year ago.

"Weight differential in the Galaxy this year to last year had a big bearing," he said.

"If he'd had the same weight as last year, he probably sits three-wide with cover and wins, but having the extra kilos was the big difference.

"He's definitely going as well. Maybe better.

"There were no A graders there (in the Galaxy), so he will need to lift again second-up, which he usually does. His form shows his second-up run is usually his best, so fingers crossed."

Nine select competitors will tackle the T J Smith Stakes (1200m), with standout entries like thrilling colt Tentyris, Giga Kick who took the 2022 Everest, and classy mare Joliestar.

A consecutive victory for Briasa would place him among legends such as Nature Strip (2020-22), Chautauqua (2015-17), and Black Caviar (2011 and 2013), the only ones to capture the prestige event multiple times in the past 20 years.

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