The story of the Autumn carnival is set to continue, with Shelby Sixtysix confirmed for the upcoming TJ Smith Stakes.
In one of the most remarkable rises in recent history, the five-year-old has gone from finishing 11th in a Highway at Randwick, to 2nd in a Class 2 race at Sapphire Coast, to winning its first career Group 1 victory last Saturday.
During an incredible run, Shelby Sixtysix has missed just one week of racing since late-January and has compiled an impressive string of performances.
After finishing 2nd behind Eduardo and beating Nature Strip past the post in the G2 Challenge Stakes, the gelding has won two in a row - headlined by it's first G1 victory in The Galaxy.
In 2022, Shelby Sixtysix has gone from finishing 11th of 14 in a Class 2 Highway to winning the Group 1 Galaxy and he's only had one week off from racing since Jan 22.
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 20, 2022
Fairytale stuff 💜@evohood 📸 pic.twitter.com/Zx4atNBkPr
What a story!
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 19, 2022
This is extraordinary!
Shelby Sixtysix has won the Group 1 Galaxy! pic.twitter.com/V6LBeFHxcL
Now a cult hero among racing fans, 'The Party Boy' will step out again on April 2nd for the TJ Smith - a race that has been won by some of Australia's greatest-ever sprinters.
Connections have decided to pay the $55,000 late-entry fee, giving them a chance to pocket a share of $2.5 million.
The Group 1 TJ Smith has lost another headline act but will provide a platform to continue what has been the story of the Autumn so far.
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 23, 2022
SHELBY SIXTYSIX has been confirmed as a starter with connections to pay the $55k late entry fee. @stevejoseph69 @MarlowLuke
Despite steering the star gelding to its first G1 victory, Robbie Dolan is reportedly set to be replaced by Tommy Berry.
The news comes after one of the leading chances for the race, Lost And Running, has been withdrawn due to injury.
Trainer John O'Shea broke the news on Wednesday, with their attention now turning to another tilt at The Everest in October.
Due to some feet complications post run in the Newmarket, we have decided Lost And Running will be spelled ahead of his Everest campaign in the Spring.
— John O'Shea Racing (@JohnOSheaRacing) March 22, 2022
Nature Strip is currently rated the $2.80 favourite for the TJ Smith Stakes ahead of sparring partner Eduardo ($4).
