Racing: Last chance to nab group-one juvenile race

Horse racing is all about pressure.

There is an old saying that no one with an unraced 2-year-old has ever committed suicide.

Every horse is a champion until proven otherwise and the anticipation can be breathtaking.

And that can be with a horse bought for $2000.

Buy one for $1.1 million and there is a lot more than anticipation on your mind.

There has to be expectation. Expectation for return on an investment.

You don't spend $1.1 million to have a bit of fun.

In the case of Darci Brahma, the $1.1 million was spent on the colt's stallion potential.

A group-one 2-year-old victory is one of the most prized factors in stallion potential and Darci Brahma gets his last roll of the dice in this afternoon's A$500,000 TJ Smith at Eagle Farm. It is Australasia's last juvenile group-one event of the season.

And he can win it. In his Australian debut in Queensland two weeks ago he could finish only fourth, but there was a lot to like about that performance.

Firstly, he raced more keenly than usual, leaving himself without his normal powerful finishing sprint.

Independent judges in Brisbane say Darci Brahma has physically tightened since that first-up run and looks more ready for a tough assignment.

The 1600m of the TJ Smith has always looked as though it would suit the staying-type Darci Brahma.

The 12-from-13 barrier draw appears awkward but there is a run of nearly 800m to the first bend from the 1600m start at Eagle Farm.

The other important point is that, in his New Zealand racing, Darci Brahma showed he could be used early in his races then come back under his rider when asked.

That was not evident in his first Australian start, but the likelihood is that he was a shade too fresh on that occasion.

Scott Seamer knows Darci Brahma well now and the $9 on offer about the colt in Australia yesterday looked attractive.

Trainer Mark Walker has been mildly critical of the colt's 56kg joint topweight.

"The Australians rubbish New Zealand form, but they don't mind lumping weight on the horses when they get here."

The TJ Smith field is very open, reflected in the $5.50 price about the favourite Testifiable.

In Brisbane yesterday there was a big push for Le Celibataire, a Montjeu colt from the O'Reilly mare Nikki's Bride, bought at the South Island sales for $60,000.

Le Celibataire has had only two starts, winning his last outing for Queensland trainer John Wallace. The race was a lowly Gold Coast maiden event, but Wallace has a big opinion of the youngster.