It will be a great shame if racing does not make it through to the first week of The Championships with our sprinting big guns warming up for the Group I ATC TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) in a barrier trial at Randwick on Friday morning.
Redzel led from the jump before Nature Strip surged through to lead and he looked strong to the line under a big hold with Santa Ana Lane, who won the TJ last year, steaming home hard for second.
Another interesting trial winner was Victorian visitor Ole Kirk, who won the Listed VRC Talindert Stakes on debut before finishing third in the Group II VRC Sires Produce Stakes.
A blueblood two year-old colt by Written Tycoon from a full sister to Black Caviar, he settled last in the trial and powered home out wide held together to win narrowly and may be placed to advantage in the longer two year-old races.
See all the trial results with Sale Mail at Breednet and here at Racing NSW with video.