A quality field of sprinters will take their place in Saturday’s Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick.

The World’s Best Sprinter, Nature Strip, is hoping to follow in Chautauqua’s footsteps by becoming just the second horse to win the race three years running, but he does have a job on his hands with Eduardo, and recent fan favourite, Shelby Sixtysix also accepting.

Upset Newmarket Handicap winner Roch ‘n’ Horse can become the first horse to complete the Newmarket – T.J. Smith double since Lankan Rupee in 2014, while there’s also a case to be made for last year’s second place-getter, Masked Crusader.

The $2 million feature is always one of the highlights on Day 1 of The Championships, and our thoughts on each runner can be found below!

Back for another tilt with Nature Strip with the score currently in favour of the World’s Best Sprinter 5-4. Finished third behind the fast-finishing Home Affairs in the Lightning Stakes first-up. Made amends in the Challenge Stakes leading all the way to fend off a late challenge from Nature Strip and Shelby Sixtysix. Tends to do his best racing third-up and is a proven wet-tracker with three wins on heavy going to his name. Ran third in this race last year and is very hard to fault.

Won the William Reid Stakes this time last year on the way to running second in the T.J. Smith. Mixed his form throughout the spring but was mighty impressive when a nose second to Nature Strip in The Everest. Layed in and finished off only fairly first-up in the Lightning Stakes and then made up ground for seventh in the Newmarket Handicap last time out. Should take improvement away from both runs and is another one with good third-up form. How he handles a heavy track looks the main query.

Has failed to win a race since taking out last year’s Newmarket Handicap. Mixed his form during the spring and hasn’t shown much in two runs back. Looks tested on a potentially heavy track and needs to improve.

5. Count De Rupee (4)

• Group 1’s: 0
• Record: 16-6:4:3
• Track: 1:0-0-1
• Distance: 7:4-1-0
• Trainer: Robert & Luke Price
• Jockey: Brock Ryan
• Odds: $26.00

Promising type that has run some big races over the last six months. Looked to have the Golden Eagle won last year before I’m Thunderstruck finished over the top to win right on the line. Went on to win The Gong at Kembla Grange by a clear margin and had genuine excuses first-up in the Newmarket Handicap a few weeks ago. Tends to improve second-up and has drawn to get a lovely run off the speed. Worth considering each way.

6. Shelby Sixtysix (10)

• Group 1’s: 1 (2022 The Galaxy)
• Record: 24-5:8:3
• Track: 8:1-2-1
• Distance: 8:2-2-1
• Trainer: Danny Williams
• Jockey: Tommy Berry
• Odds: $8.00

Hoping to become the first horse to complete The Galaxy – TJ Smith Stakes double since La Baraka in 1998. Easily one of the stars of the autumn winning three of his last four starts, all on the short backup. Has enjoyed a week between runs heading into his grand final after storming into the clear to win The Galaxy with 50m to spare. Proven swimmer with four wins to his name on heavy going and his latest effort suggests he’ll appreciate getting back out to 1200m.

Rattled off five in a row under new trainer Bjorn Baker. Finished just over a length to Shelby Sixtysix in a Group 3 earlier in the month but was outmatched stepping up to Group 1 level in The Galaxy for the first time. This only looks tougher.