TJ Smith Stakes 2026 Betting Tips - Will Tentyris Bounce Back?

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: Thu 02 Apr 2026 15:05

Alex Marsh 02 Apr 2026

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Tentyris leads 2026 TJ Smith Stakes odds at $3.40
Giga Kick poses a strong challenge as a longer distance suits him
Skybird emerges as a value bet with potential to upset high odds

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Can Tentyris atone in the TJ Smith Stakes? (Getty)

The TJ Smith Stakes is one of the newer Group 1 races in the Sydney Autumn Carnival, but it is not short on prestige, standing as one of the most sought-after sprints in Australia.

2026 TJ Smith Stakes Tips
2026 TJ Smith Stakes - Field & Odds

Mahogany, Apache Cat, Takeover Target, Black Caviar, Chautauqua and Nature Strip are among the champions to have won this 1200m feature at Royal Randwick.

Tentyris is favourite to win the 2026 TJ Smith Stakes, with $3.40 his quote via Unibet Australia.

2026 TJ Smith Stakes Tips

2026 TJ Smith Stakes Best Bet - Tentyris

Barrier one is the obvious knock for a backmarker, but Tentyris has the right rider aboard in Mark Zahra to manage the setup.

The Godolphin colt announced himself as an elite sprinter with a Coolmore Stud Stakes win before returning to take out the Black Caviar Lightning in dominant fashion.

The Newmarket Handicap effort was better than it reads, with the pattern heavily favouring those on speed throughout the card.

Despite that, Tentyris still produced one of the fastest late splits of the meeting, including the second-fastest last 400m,

A sharp Randwick trial on March 27 points to a strong return here, and with even luck, the colt can bounce back.

2026 TJ Smith Stakes Next Best Bet - Giga Kick

Giga Kick resumed in the Black Caviar Lightning with an even performance, although he was ridden upside down there.

The Challenge Stakes second-up saw him remain at 1000m, producing the fastest last 400m and 200m of the March 7 program when finishing fourth.

A rise to 1200m is a clear positive, with the shorter sprint trips a bit too sharp nowadays for the six-year-old.

The spring campaign included a Group 1 VRC Sprint victory on Heavy ground, reinforcing the class edge when conditions suit.

With rain no issue and fitness building, Giga Kick profiles as a major player.

2026 TJ Smith Stakes Value Bet - Skybird

Skybird is a big price and, while difficult to trust given previous setbacks, the ability is still there to measure up.

This looks a targeted assignment, with the first-up run in the Challenge Stakes likely to bring improvement after fitness gave out late.

A return to Victoria followed, where a Caulfield Heath trial on March 26 produced encouraging late work for third.

Last preparation included a first-up win in the Black Caviar Lightning on Soft 7 ground, highlighting the level when right.

If tuned up for this, Skybird has the capacity to blow the race open at odds.

2026 TJ Smith Stakes - Field & Odds

No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Odds
1	Jimmysstar (NZ)	Ciaron Maher	Ethan Brown	2	58.5kg	$4.80
2	Briasa	Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes	Tyler Schiller	8	58.5kg	$7
3	Giga Kick	Clayton Douglas	Zac Purton	6	58.5kg	$8
4	Overpass	Bjorn Baker	Joshua Parr	7	58.5kg	$11
5	Mazu	Joseph Pride	Rachel King	9	58.5kg	$31
6	Joliestar	Chris Waller	James McDonald	5	56.5kg	$4
7	Tentyris	Anthony & Sam Freedman	Mark Zahra	1	56.5kg	$3.40
8	Magic Time	Grahame Begg	Michael Dee	3	56.5kg	$34
9	Skybird	Mitchell Freedman	John Allen	4	56.5kg	$51