Multiple Group 1 winning sprinter Trapeze Artist is on track for a successful 2019 Autumn Carnival campaign that could lead him to star at Royal Ascot in England in June.
Trapeze Artist, above, could earn himself a trip to Royal Artist at the end of the 2019 Sydney Autumn Carnival. Photo by Steve Hart.
Trapeze Artist tuned up for the Autumn Carnival with a handy fourth in a 900m barrier trial at Rosehill on Tuesday and trainer Gerald Ryan has penciled in the Group 2 $200,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on February 2 as his first up run.
“I thought he trialled really well. He was back midfield and wide and ended up three-wide,” Ryan told AAP.
“I never trial him with blinkers on so I thought he went quite well and his more forward than he has been in other preparations.”
Ryan has mapped out a tentative Autumn Carnival program and if the Snitzel four year old returns to his Group 1 winning form, a trip to England for the Royal Ascot meeting is on the agenda.
“We’ll play it by ear but depending on how he comes through, Royal Ascot is on the agenda,” Ryan said.
A clash with the mighty mare Winx could eventuate if Ryan decides to run Trapeze Artist in the Group 2 $250,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 14.
Ryan will also try to win back to back Group 1 $2.5m T J Smith Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 $600,000 Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick after Trapeze Artist won both those weight for age races as a three year old during the 2018 Sydney Autumn Carnival.
Trapeze Artist’s other Group 1 win during his three year old season was in the 2017 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill.
Trapeze Artist beat Redzel in last year’s T J Smith Stakes and both are placed at the top of the betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for this year’s weight for age sprint on the first day of The Championships on April 6.
Two times The Everest winner Redzel has been installed as the $7 favourite for the 2019 T J Smith Stakes ahead of Trapeze Artist who is sharing the second line of betting at $8 with the Kris Lees trained three year old Graff.
Early betting for the 2019 T J Smith Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $7 Redzel, $8 Graff, Trapeze Artist, $11 Santa Ana Lane, $13 Alizee, Kementari, Osborne Bulls, Pierata, $17 In Her Time, Shoals, Sunlight, Vega Magic, Zousain, $18 The Autumn Sun, $21 Home Of The Brave, $26 Brutal, Diplomatico, Lean Mean Machine, Nature Strip, $31 or better the rest.
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