In the era of modern racing, premier sprinter Briasa and Tyler Schiller form a distinctive pairing.
Clashes with regional carnivals, time-outs for suspensions, and racing’s sly demands frequently shuffle jockeys, but Saturday’s Randwick card sees Schiller aboard the grey ace for his 13th of 16 rides – consecutively the 11th.
Since Zac Lloyd’s mount on Briasa in October 2024, no one else has ridden him aside from Schiller, fostering the rider’s special bond with 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.”
Six wins grace their record, highlighted by last year’s T J Smith Stakes (1200m) triumph after fourth in The Galaxy (1100m).
Carrying four kilos more, he held fourth in this year’s Rosehill sprint version, with Schiller affirming Briasa’s condition equals or exceeds that of 12 months back.
“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.”
Nine quality horses line up for the T J Smith Stakes (1200m), topped by budding three-year-old Tentyris, Giga Kick’s 2022 Everest win, and superior mare Joliestar.
Victory here would see Briasa join Nature Strip (2020-22), Chautauqua (2015-17), and Black Caviar (2011 and 2013) as the only repeat winners of the marquee race in two decades.
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