Punter unloads on the TJ Smith Stakes

Image: Steve Hart

A punter with the TAB has smashed Pierata on Saturday

The TJ Smith Stakes is one of the four Group 1 races on Day 1 of The Championships at Royal Randwick this Saturday and one punter is confident that Pierata – $7 to $5.50 this week with TAB – will be victorious.

The TAB punter in question has placed bets of $30,000 at $7 and $30,000 at $6 on Pierata who was runner-up to Nature Strip by an eyelash in The Galaxy at Rosehill Gardens on March 23 (Golden Slipper Day).

A potential collect of $390,000 awaits the customer if the Greg Hickman-trained horse can win his seventh race in 18 career starts (five seconds and two thirds as well).

“Day 1 of The Championships is expected to take place on a rain-affected surface, but Pierata has recorded two wins and two minor placings from five career starts on soft or heavy going,” TAB’s Trent Langskaill said.

“Along with the second to Nature Strip in The Galaxy on a heavy track, Pierata was victorious over 1200 metres in the Sydney Stakes on TAB Everest Day last year (October 13) on a heavy-rated surface.”

Pierata is now $5.50 to win the T.J. Smith Stakes with Trapeze Artist – last year’s winner – and Osborne Bulls sharing favouritism at $4 while dual Everest winner Redzel is rated an $8 chance.

Another punter has also place a massive bet of $30,000 on last years winner Trapeze Artist to win.