Briasa confirmed his status as a top sprinter with a thrilling win in the $3 million T J Smith Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

The four-year-old gelding, trained by Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes, claimed his first Group 1 victory at just his ninth start, defeating Group 1 winner Overpass by a head, with Headwall taking third.

Briasa’s journey from a Kembla Grange maiden win in March 2024 to a T J Smith triumph reflects his rapid rise, and Michael Hawkes admitted he had high hopes for the horse from the beginning.

“I’ve just loved him from day one,” Hawkes said. “This is the moment that we dream of with a horse like this.”

The win came after a hard-luck fourth in the Group 1 The Galaxy, and jockey Tyler Schiller attributed the result to a better barrier draw this time around.

“It makes a difference when you draw a barrier,” Schiller said. “Randwick is more forgiving, and he’s just a very good horse.”

Briasa’s victory marked the Hawkes team’s fourth T J Smith win, joining their previous successes with Chautauqua.

Newmarket Handicap winner Joliestar, the $3.30 favourite, was unable to find clear running and finished ninth, just two lengths behind the winner.