In today’s racing landscape, elite sprinter Briasa and rider Tyler Schiller represent something rare.
Conflicts with out-of-state meetings, bans, and the unpredictable side of racing typically lead to frequent jockey switches, yet this Saturday at Randwick, Schiller will team up with the grey quickster for the 13th occasion across 16 outings – marking the 11th straight time.
Zac Lloyd was the previous rider on Briasa besides Schiller back in October 2024, making it understandable why the jockey holds affection for the Hawkes Racing gelding.
“Definitely. He’s pretty cruisy,” Schiller said.
“He mopes around the stable like a stayer, but he’s one of the fastest horses I’ve sat on.
“Being with the Hawkes camp has helped me get closer to him. I don’t do any of his trackwork, so it’s probably strange I do have a good association with him because the only time I sit on him is race day and trials, but he’s going terrific.”
Together they have secured six victories, one being last year’s T J Smith Stakes (1200m) following a strong-closing fourth in The Galaxy (1100m).
In the current edition of the Rosehill sprint, he repeated that placing while shouldering four kilos extra, and Schiller is convinced Briasa is performing at least as strongly as 12 months prior.
“Weight differential in the Galaxy this year to last year had a big bearing,” he said.
“If he’d had the same weight as last year, he probably sits three-wide with cover and wins, but having the extra kilos was the big difference.
“He’s definitely going as well. Maybe better.
“There were no A graders there (in the Galaxy), so he will need to lift again second-up, which he usually does. His form shows his second-up run is usually his best, so fingers crossed.”
The T J Smith Stakes (1200m) features a compact yet quality lineup of nine runners, led by promising three-year-old Tentyris, 2022 Everest winner Giga Kick, and top mare Joliestar.
Should Briasa repeat his success, he would enter an exclusive club alongside Nature Strip (2020-22), Chautauqua (2015-17), and Black Caviar (2011 and 2013), the sole horses to win this highlight more than once over the last two decades.
Explore the top Australian betting sites for the best T J Smith Stakes odds.
