‘We still don’t know his ceiling’: Will Briasa live up to the hype in 2025 TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick?

Briasa has already built a fantastic record of six victories from eight starts but has been set his toughest assignment to date on day one of The Championships.

Schiller is adamant the Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes-trained galloper will be up to the challenge.

“I have ridden some good horses but he is definitely on the way up,” he said.

“I don’t know where the best of him is but it’s exciting.

“If he could come out and win this weekend he could really cement himself as one of the best sprinters for the next five years.”

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With the likes of Bella Nipotina, Think About It and I Wish I Win retiring over the past 12 months, there is an opportunity for the next generation of Australian sprinters to take over the mantle.

Team Hawkes has taken Briasa through his grades and that patient approach looks set to pay significant dividends over the next few years.

It was just a touch over 12 months ago that Briasa broke his maiden at Kembla Grange but the gelding now gets the opportunity to add his name to one of Sydney racing’s most prestigious honour rolls this weekend.

“I think they took him through his grades more so because he was so immature when they got him,” Schiller said.

“He was very babyish. We still don’t know where his ceiling is but he has taken a lot of experience to get where he is.

“Although he has won a long the way, and has only been beaten twice now, but every time he has won he never fully exerted himself.

“We never saw how good he was. He did it in a tradesman-like way but keeps improving and we don’t know where the best of him is.”

• EXPERT TIPS: Professional punter James Molony’s race-by-race tips and analysis for Randwick on Saturday

Schiller has been aboard Briasa for the bulk of his career and partnered the gelding to success in last year’s Group 2 The Hunter at Newcastle.

The son of Smart Missile lost no admirers first-up when Schiller was forced to go back from a wide draw in the Group 1 The Galaxy, surging home from the back to finish fourth behind Private Harry.

“I think if Braisa draws inside 10 he’s hard to beat (in The Galaxy) and he’s drawn three this time,” Schiller, who remains hopeful of a Doncaster Mile start for Swiftfalcon, said.

“Randwick is a lot more forgiving.

“If he drew a bad barrier I wouldn’t have been disappointed but it makes a lot easier when you draw where he has, for sure.”

• Jett Hatton’s TJ Smith Stakes runner-by-runner form analysis and tips

The Hawkes won three straight TJ Smith Stakes with former superstar grey Chautauqua winning from 2015 to 2017

Briasa is the $4.60 second elect for the T J Smith Stakes behind last start Group 1 Newmarket Handicap winner Joliestar ($4).

First-up flyer Overpass ($8) will get his chance in the sprint feature before a likely attempt to defend his crown in The Quokka at Ascot later in the month.

Jimmystar ($9.50), a luckless third last start in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes, makes up part of a two-pronged attack for Ciaron Maher alongside I Am Me ($34).

Group 1 winners Sunshine In Paris ($9) and Magic Time ($9) will add further strength to the field.

• Ray & Duff’s race-by-race tips and analysis for Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday

The T J Smith Stakes is likely to have a substantial impact on this year’s The Everest with only The Galaxy winner Private Harry locked in for the sprint feature, with the colt set to run in new owners Yulong’s slot.

Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising remains a $2.50 favourite for The Everest and a slot deal for the world’s best sprinter remains imminent but not before the gelding completes his current preparation in the Asian racing mecca.

Originally published as ‘We still don’t know his ceiling’: Will Briasa live up to the hype in 2025 TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick?