Entries are expected to be strong for the TJ Smith but just how many line up if Black Caviar runs is the question.
Sydney’s weather will determine if the champion sprinter comes to Randwick on Saturday with trainer Peter Moody adamant she will not run on a heavy track which was the rating on Sunday.
More rain is expected early this week but the ever changing forecast predicts sunnier days in the lead-up to the big day featuring three Group One races including the $1 million sprint over 1200 metres.
There are doubts about Hay List, rated the world’s second best sprinter last year, after he put in a lacklustre gallop between races at Wyong on Sunday.
Snitzerland, who set a Warwick Farm 1100m record when she won the Group Two Challenge Stakes, won’t run if Black Caviar is there.
Neil Werrett is the managing owner of both horses and will not pit them against each other.
“If she doesn’t run on Saturday she will go straight to Adelaide for the Goodwood,” trainer Gerald Ryan said.
Sydney’s glamour mare More Joyous will be nominated after her unlucky fifth in Saturday’s Queen Of The Turf Stakes won by Appearance.
International Group One winner Ortensia will be entered but will also have a Plan B, the Group Two Sapphire Stakes.
One trainer hoping the rain stays around is Joe Pride who will have last year’s runner-up, the aptly named Rain Affair.
Unbeaten in eight starts on dead to heavy ground, Rain Affair encountered good tracks in last year’s TJ Smith and All Aged Stakes.
He ran second to Master Of Design in the TJ Smith and second again in the All Aged won by Atlantic Jewel.
“He is still good on top of the ground but much better in the wet,” trainer Joe Pride said.
“I hope the rain stays around.”
Randwick will be limited to 25,000 people on Saturday with rebuilding still underway at Sydney’s premier track which had a test run at a low key meeting on Easter Monday.
