Wet track specialist Redzel will get conditions to suit today in the Group 1 $1.25m T J Smith Stakes (1200m) after the Randwick track was downgraded to a Heavy 8 this morning.
Redzel, above, will get conditions to suit in the 2020 T J Smith Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Randwick has received 22.8mm of rain in the last week and that includes 3.2mm during the last 24 hours and Redzel’s record on rain affected track is outstanding.
Redzel won his second of his two wins in the $13m The Everest in 2018 on a heavy 9 rated track over the Randwick 1200m course and he gets similar conditions today.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Redzel’s overall wet track record reveals a win and three placings from seven starts on a soft track and three wins and three placings from eight on the heavy.
Redzel has had two lead up runs into the T J Smith Stakes for two seconds in the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on February 15 and in the Group 2 $500,000 Hyland Race Colours Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on March 7 and Peter Snowden said that the seven year old is in great shape for today’s Group 1 sprint.
“You know you are going to get one hundred per cent from him and that is all you can ask,” Peter Snowden told Sky Racing HQ Saturday.
“Looking at the horse, his blood, his work and everything about the horse is very good but he is meeting a field of superstars and he will run at his best no doubt. Whether it is good enough we will have to wait and see.”
Kerrin McEvoy continues his association with Redzel who will have no trouble taking up his usual forward position from barrier three in the twelve horse T J Smith field.
Overnight betting at Ladbrokes.com.au has seen Redzel’s price firm in a couple of points from $17 to $15 while the Chris Waller trained Nature Strip is also a firming favourite at $3.70.
The front running Nature Strip also has excellent wet track form and will get every chance from the inside gate with regular jockey James McDonald in the saddle again.
Last year’s T J Smith winner Santa Ana Lane is also well in contention in the betting at $7.50 and will jump from gate two with new rider Tim Clark in the saddle.
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