Looking for this year’s TJ Smith Stakes betting odds, tips and race field? The experts at Neds have put together everything you need to know on the race.
TJ Smith Stakes 2026 Results
The official 2026 TJ Smith Stakes results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
- #6 Joliestar
- #3 Giga Kick
- #9 Skybird
Chris Waller’s classy Royal Ascot-bound Zoustar mare Joliestar ($3.90F) continued her outstanding autumn prep posting her third win on the trot and claiming her fifth Group 1 victory for the punters in the 2026 TJ Smith Stakes results in Sydney on Saturday. Given a peach of a ride by master hoop James McDonald, Joliestar hit the front at the top of the straight and fought all the way to the line eventually crossing 0.6 lengths in front of a brave Giga Kick with 40/1 pop Skybird in third.
2026 TJ Smith Stakes Odds
| 6. Joliestar (5) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 53×11T: Chris Waller | ||
| 3. Giga Kick (6) J: Zac Purton 58.5kg 11×54T: Clayton Douglas | ||
| 9. Skybird (4) J: John Allen 56.5kg x69x5T: Mitchell Freedman | ||
| 4. Overpass (7) J: Josh Parr 58.5kg x423xT: Bjorn Baker | ||
| 1. Jimmysstar (2) J: Ethan Brown 58.5kg 311×7T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 5. Mazu (9) J: Rachel King 58.5kg 93×33T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 8. Magic Time (3) J: Michael Dee 56.5kg 302×9T: Grahame Begg | ||
| 2. Briasa (8) J: Tyler Schiller 58.5kg 189×4T: M, W & J Hawkes | ||
| 7. Tentyris (1) J: Mark Zahra 56.5kg 11×15T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
TJ Smith Stakes 2026 Tips
Our insider 2026 TJ Smith Stakes tips will be detailed here the week of the race and a full betting preview published on the Neds Blog.
| 7. Tentyris (1) J: Mark Zahra 56.5kg 11×15T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
| 6. Joliestar (5) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 53×11T: Chris Waller |
| 4. Overpass (7) J: Josh Parr 58.5kg x423xT: Bjorn Baker |
The TJ Smith Stakes is one of the premier sprint races of the autumn held at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse on Day 1 of ‘The Championships’. Run alongside the likes of the Doncaster Mile and Australian Derby, the 1200m event offers $3 million in prize money.
A weight-for-age clash run and won since 1997, it is one of the younger features of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival but attracts a class line-up of short distance horses each season.
Holding its Group 1 status since 2005, the TJ Smith Stakes has been won by the likes of Takeover Target (2009); the undefeated champion mare Black Caviar (2011, 2013); the ‘Grey Flash’ Chautauqua (2015, 2016, 2017) who made history with his trio of victories; and Nature Strip (2020, 2021, 2022) who repeated the three-peat.
The winner of the previous year’s Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) in the spring are exempt from TJ Smith Stakes ballot. The other races offer a TJ Smith Stakes ballot exemption held earlier in the same year are the: Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) and the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m).
In 2021 Nature Strip successfully defended his TJ Smith Stakes title, the 2019/20 Australian Racehorse of the Year going on to take out that spring’s now $20 million The Everest race. Nature Strip returned to post his record-equalling third TJ Smith Stakes victory in 2022 with a runaway success for the Waller stable.
Nature Strip went on to frank the 2022 TJ Smith Stakes form with a barnstorming win by over four lengths in England’s Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot next start.
Nature Strip attempted to make history with a fourth TJ Smith Stakes win in 2023 but could only manage to run fourth behind the Peter Moody-trained winner I Wish I Win.
I Wish I Win would return in the spring of 2023 to run second in that year’s The Everest results, while he placed third to stablemate Chain Of Lightning in the 2024 TJ Smith Stakes results.
The TJ Smith Stakes 2023 form was further franked by the runner-up Giga Kick who won the Group 1 All Aged Stakes and Doomben 10,000 at his next two starts.
The 2024 TJ Smith Stakes form was franked with the runner-up Bella Nipotina going on to win a host of subsequent Group 1 races including most famously that year’s $20 million The Everest in the spring in Sydney.
In 2026 Joliestar won the TJ Smith on the back of a lead-up victory in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
TJ Smith Stakes 2026 – Quick Information
- Race Day: Saturday, April 4, 2026
- Track Location: Randwick Racecourse
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Right-handed
- Race Distance: 1,200 metres
- Weight Conditions: Weight-for-age
- Qualification: No restrictions
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 1
- Operator: Australian Turf Club
- Prize Purse: $3,000,000
- Inaugural Race: 1997
- 2026 TJ Smith Stakes Winner: Joliestar
TJ Smith Stakes Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the TJ Smith Stakes, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How To Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s TJ Smith Stakes |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s TJ Smith Stakes. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s TJ Smith Stakes. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the TJ Smith Stakes, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend. |
| Quinella Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within the TJ Smith Stakes, in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the TJ Smith Stakes to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the TJ Smith Stakes to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd ,3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the TJ Smith Stakes to win the First 4. |
| Quadrella Bet (Quaddie) | You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from the TJ Smith Stakes, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How To Bet on The TJ Smith Stakes in 2026
- Login at neds.com.au
- Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
- Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
- Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on TJ Smith Stakes Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Which Horse Will Win the TJ Smith Stakes?
The best way to pick which horse will win the TJ Smith Stakes in 2026 is to take into account their lead-up autumn racing form, assess the barriers, consider the weight the horse will carry and back the proven Group 1 sprinters in the mix.
Additional factors to consider when picking the TJ Smith Stakes winner include:
- Interstate Invasion – Horses coming off a lead-up Group 1 race in Melbourne have a good record in the TJ Smith Stakes.
- Single-Figure Fancies – Sprinters under $10 in betting have dominated the recent TJ Smith Stakes results.
TJ Smith Stakes Favourites 2026
Favourites in 2026 TJ Smith Stakes betting at time of publish include Jimmysstar who won the spring’s Russell Balding Stakes / CF Orr double, the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes / Black Caviar Lightning champ Tentyris taking on the older sprinters in Sydney and Chris Waller’s ultra-consistent Canterbury Stakes winning mare Joliestar chasing a hat-trick.
From 2008-26 eight TJ Smith Stakes favourites won including most recently Nature Strip ($4.20 in 2020, $3.10 in 2021 and $2.30 in 2022) for his trio of victories and the fellow Chris Waller-trained Joliestar ($3.90 in 2026).
Nature Strip jumped the $4.80 favourite in 2023 TJ Smith Stakes betting but only ran fourth to the $9 winner I Wish I Win.
There was a notable upset in 2024 with Chain Of Lightning winning at TJ Smith Stakes odds of $21.
TJ Smith Stakes 2026 Field
The official 2026 TJ Smith Stakes field of final acceptances is announced on the Tuesday of race week and will be published in full below.
The TJ Smith Stakes 2026 final field features a small, but class line-up of nine sprinters led in betting by the rails-drawn Tentyris with the Coolmore Stud Stakes / Black Caviar Lightning double winning colt heading to Sydney off a lead-up fifth in the Newmarket Handicap down the Flemington straight.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Jimmysstar
J: Ethan Brown
T: Ciaron Maher |
2311x7 | G | 2 | 58.5kg | |
|
2. Briasa
J: Tyler Schiller
T: M, W & J Hawkes |
2189x4 | G | 8 | 58.5kg | |
|
3. Giga Kick
J: Zac Purton
T: Clayton Douglas |
x11x54 | G | 6 | 58.5kg | |
|
4. Overpass
J: Josh Parr
T: Bjorn Baker |
9x423x | G | 7 | 58.5kg | |
|
5. Mazu
J: Rachel King
T: Joseph Pride |
393x33 | G | 9 | 58.5kg | |
|
6. Joliestar
J: James McDonald
T: Chris Waller |
153x11 | M | 5 | 56.5kg | |
|
7. Tentyris
J: Mark Zahra
T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
311x15 | C | 1 | 56.5kg | |
|
8. Magic Time
J: Michael Dee
T: Grahame Begg |
1302x9 | M | 3 | 56.5kg | |
|
9. Skybird
J: John Allen
T: Mitchell Freedman |
1x69x5 | M | 4 | 56.5kg |
TJ Smith Stakes Race Day 2026
The 2026 TJ Smith Stakes takes place on Day 1 of ‘The Championships’ at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday, April 4, 2026. There are four Group 1 races in total held that day at the track with the TJ Smith Stakes run alongside the:
- Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m),
- Group 1 $2 million Australian Derby (2400m), and the
- Group 1 $1 million Inglis Sires’ (1400m).
TJ Smith Stakes Barrier Draw 2026
The 2026 TJ Smith Stakes barrier draw will be released to the public a few days before the race and published in our above TJ Smith Stakes Field section.
TJ Smith Stakes Nominations 2026
2026 TJ Smith Stakes Nominations close at midday on a Tuesday in mid-February.
The TJ Smith Stakes 2026 nominations close at midday on Tuesday the 10th of February 2026.
The 2026 TJ Smith Stakes nominations attracted 75 sprinters led in all-in betting by the spring’s Group 1 CF Orr champ Jimmysstar, Ciaron Maher’s talented The Everest second placed filly Tempted and Coolmore Stud Stakes winning colt Tentyris.
TJ Smith Stakes First Acceptances 2026
2026 TJ Smith Stakes First Acceptances close at midday on a Tuesday in mid-March.
TJ Smith Stakes Weights 2026
The TJ Smith Stakes is a weight-for-age event. 2026 TJ Smith Stakes Weights must be declared by 4:00pm (AEST) on the Tuesday of race week with weights on the final acceptances to be published in our above TJ Smith Stakes Field section.
TJ Smith Stakes Acceptances 2026
2026 TJ Smith Stakes Final Acceptances must be declared before 8 AM on the Tuesday of race week and will be published in our above TJ Smith Stakes Field section.
TJ Smith Stakes Jockeys 2026
The final riders’ announcement is at 12 PM on the Wednesday of race week with the 2026 TJ Smith Stakes jockeys to be published in our above TJ Smith Stakes Field section.
TJ Smith Stakes Scratchings 2026
2026 TJ Smith Stakes scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
TJ Smith Stakes Prize Money 2026
The 2026 TJ Smith Stakes prize purse is worth $3,000,000 in total, distributed from places first through to tenth.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,725,000 |
| 2nd | $560,000 |
| 3rd | $280,000 |
| 4th | $135,000 |
| 5th | $75,000 |
| 6th | $40,000 |
| 7th | $35,000 |
| 8th | $35,000 |
| 9th | $20,000 |
| 10th | $20,000 |
TJ Smith Stakes Race Number 2026
The 2026 TJ Smith Stakes race number is scheduled as Randwick Race 7 at 3:55pm (AEDT) on Saturday, April 4, 2026. There are ten races in total that day at Randwick Racecourse.
TJ Smith Stakes Form Guide 2026
The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2026 TJ Smith Stakes Form Guide following final acceptances.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2026 TJ SMITH STAKES FORM GUIDE
TJ Smith Stakes Live 2026
You can watch or listen to the 2026 TJ Smith Stakes live, across the following mediums.
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Radio: Radio Sport National
Free-to-air television: Seven Network
Streaming: Racing NSW
TJ Smith Stakes Winners
Winners of the TJ Smith Stakes going back to the year 2000 are displayed in the table below. For a full list of winners going back to 1997, please check our TJ Smith Stakes winners’ page.
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Third | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Joliestar | Giga Kick | Skybird | 1:09.58 |
| 2025 | Briasa | Overpass | Headwall | 1:08.57 |
| 2024 | Chain Of Lightning | Bella Nipotina | I Wish I Win | 1:10.40 |
| 2023 | I Wish I Win | Giga Kick | Mazu | 1:11.7 |
| 2022 | Nature Strip | Eduardo | Paulele | 1:12.3 |
| 2021 | Nature Strip | Masked Crusader | Eduardo | 1:10.0 |
| 2020 | Nature Strip | Santa Ana Lane | Redzel | 1:11.1 |
| 2019 | Santa Ana Lane | Osborne Bulls | Sunlight | 1:10.6 |
| 2018 | Trapeze Artist | Redzel | In Her Time | 1:08.2 |
| 2017 | Chautauqua | English | Fell Swoop | 1:12.4 |
| 2016 | Chautauqua | Fell Swoop | English | 1:10.1 |
| 2015 | Chautauqua | Lord Of The Sky | Terravista | 1:11.0 |
| 2014 | Lankan Rupee | Rebel Dane | Buffering | 1:12.1 |
| 2013 | Black Caviar | Epaulette | Bel Sprinter | 1:09.6 |
| 2012 | Master Of Design | Rain Affair | Hallowell Belle | 1:08.8 |
| 2011 | Black Caviar | Hay List | Triple Honour | 1:08.7 |
| 2010 | Melito | Hot Danish | Mic Mac | 1:09.2 |
| 2009 | Takeover Target | Northern Meteor | Apache Cat | 1:09.0 |
| 2008 | Apache Cat | Reigning To Win | Takeover Target | 1:11.8 |
| 2007 | Bentley Biscuit | Black Ink | Virage De Fortune | 1:10.6 |
| 2006 | Red Oog | Glamour Puss | Snitzel | 1:09.8 |
| 2005 | Shamekha | Fastnet Rock | Only Words | 1:12.1 |
| 2004 | Dilly Dally | Legally Bay | Mistegic | 1:09.9 |
| 2003 | Spinning Hill | Yell | Bel Esprit | 1:10.7 |
| 2002 | Phoenix Park | Fair Embrace | Spinning Hill | 1:10.3 |
| 2001 | Century Kid | Spinning Hill | Falvelon | 1:09.8 |