For the second time in his career, Trapeze Artist has produced a huge boilover at Group 1 level by beating Redzel in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Trapeze Artist was $15 into $8.50 prior to jump and did his chances of justifying the trend no harm when jumping well and taking an ideal position in transit mid-pack and on the fence, as Redzel, Jungle Edge and Global Glamour dictated the early terms on pace.
Enjoying an ideal run in transit, jockey Tye Angland produced the horse at the bottom of the straight and went about running down Redzel; finding the sprint champion with 200m to travel and pulling clear to easily claim the biggest result of his career to date.
Angland, who was narrowly denied when aboard Ace High in the Derby forty minutes prior, delivered a gem of a ride aboard Trapeze Artist and was thrilled with the result.
“Obviously the race before was a bit deflating, we tried on the course and tried in the room and it didn’t work out!” Angland said.
“The horse performed awesome, but this horse right here and right now, gee he’s incredible.
“We won the Golden Rose, we dominated that day and coming up the little rise and having Redzel in our sights there and being able to pick him up and put him away, gee it feels good.
“He’s got a big future, this horse. He’s only a three-year-old, he’s just been one of our best sprinters in Australia and that was pretty exciting.
“He’s incredible – I’ve got a little joke with Gerald that I only ride Group winners for him, so here’s another one.”
Trapeze Artist resumed this time for a smart win in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m); finishing fourth in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1200m) and third in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) leading into this afternoon’s outstanding performance.
In being crowned the TJ Smith Stakes winner, Trapeze Artist has extended his record to five wins and two minors from only thirteen career starts.
Redzel hit the line well to finish second, while In Her Time beat a smart Le Romain to fill the minors.